DOHA: Doha warns against catastrophic closure of vital Bab al Mandab strait says impact on global economy would be devastating By HH Sheikh Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani A warning has been issued by Qatar on the closure of the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait warning that disruption to the Red Sea shipping route will ignite catastrophic economic chaos across the world.
Speaking at the Ministry’s weekly media briefing, Director of Media and Communications Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi said international shipping lines are under immense pressure as global supply chains remain strained. He attributed the crisis to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and escalating Houthi maneuvers along the Red Sea coast, warning that the international community cannot afford further disruptions to critical energy and trade routes.
The Qatari diplomatic core urged the international community to engage in diplomacy and constructive dialogue to de-escalate the situation and pre-vent further destabilization of the Middle East region which has significant implications for global energy delivery and maritime transit security.
Al Hashmi said the global economy is already reeling from the effects of regional maritime blockades warning that if the Bab al-Mandab Strait is thrown into the mix it will have disastrous consequences.
Qatar and other likeminded nations has been taking the lead in promoting international diplomacy and organized dialogue as the only means to bring an end to the maritime security chaos and ensure shipping security and safe passage of vital international sea lines of communication. –Agencies
