EU Red Sea Task Force Prepares for Houthi Attacks; Strait Closure Risk Looms
European forces are positioning to counter Iranian-backed Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea amid concerns the group could close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical global oil chokepoint. Closure would severely disrupt energy markets and represent a significant escalation of regional conflict. The exact status of EU operational readiness and Houthi capability to sustain such a closure remains uncertain.