From Hormuz to the Bab el-Mandeb... Gulf security faces a new test
Gulf security today is no longer confined solely to a state’s land and maritime borders; it has become part of a broader security equation extending from the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. These waterways are not mere lines on a map but vital arteries for energy and international trade. Any disruption in them does not confine its repercussions to the region’s borders but extends to global energy markets, supply chains, and the world economy.
Rapid developments in the region underscore the sensitivity of this equation. The tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, coinciding with the resumption of escalation in Yemen and the Red Sea, place Gulf states before intersecting security challenges. What is happening in Hormuz cannot be separated from what is occurring at Bab al-Mandab, as the stability of both passages is a fundamental element of energy security and international navigation, and consequently, of the economic and strategic security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
In this context, the recent Houthi escalation against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which included missile and drone attacks and attempts to target cities, facilities, and vital infrastructure, highlights that threats emanating from the Yemeni theater are no longer confined within Yemen’s borders.
On September 19, coalition forces announced the interception of a missile heading toward Riyadh and the thwarting of other attacks targeting sites including Yanbu and Taif, among others. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on sites within the Kingdom. This escalation concerns not only Saudi security but also collective Gulf security, particularly when threats approach energy facilities and maritime passages of strategic importance to the global economy.
From this perspective, Kuwait’s position is clear and firm in its solidarity with the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Kuwait has affirmed, in official statements, its condemnation of Houthi aggression and its stance alongside the Kingdom, supporting the measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and stability. It has emphasized that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the other GCC states. This stance reflects a entrenched strategic reality: the security of Council states is interconnected, and any threat faced by one member state reverberates across the entire Gulf system.
At the heart of this equation, Kuwait stands out with its balanced political approach, which combines commitment to security, sovereignty, and Gulf solidarity with advocacy for dialogue, de-escalation, and respect for international law. Kuwaiti diplomacy has consistently sought to protect national and Gulf interests while keeping dialogue channels open and maintaining balanced relations with the international community. This policy grows in importance amid the polarization characterizing the region.
From Hormuz to Bab al-Mandab, enhancing coordination among GCC states has become a strategic imperative. Current challenges demand elevated cooperation in protecting vital infrastructure, strengthening border and territorial waters security, developing early warning and defense capabilities, and safeguarding supply chains and energy routes, alongside political and diplomatic coordination regarding regional crises.
However, enhancing Gulf capacity to protect security does not mean pushing toward further confrontations. Gulf states have the greatest interest in regional stability, having built massive economies and development projects over past decades, becoming global hubs for energy, investment, transport, and trade. Therefore, combining security readiness with effective diplomacy represents a rational choice to protect these gains and prevent regional conflicts from spilling over into GCC states.
It is here, precisely, that the strategic importance of the Bab el-Mandeb strait becomes evident. Geographically distant as it may appear from the Gulf’s security periphery, it in fact constitutes a direct extension of it. Recent military developments in Yemen, coupled with the approach of confrontations toward the western coast and key maritime chokepoints, have heightened risks to trade and energy flows. Moreover, the latest clashes have triggered large-scale internal displacement within Yemen, underscoring that continued escalation carries simultaneous security, economic, and humanitarian dimensions.
Today, the Gulf faces a new test, yet it also possesses significant strengths: stable states, influential economies, broad international ties, and a cohesive Gulf framework capable of enhancing its security and political cooperation in line with evolving circumstances.
From Hormuz to Bab el-Mandeb, the Gulf’s message remains clear: the security of the Cooperation Council for Arab States (GCC) countries is indivisible, and the sovereignty and stability of its member states are fundamental red lines that cannot be crossed. At the same time, diplomacy, dialogue, and respect for international law remain essential tools to prevent the conflict from expanding. At the heart of this equation, Kuwait continues its balanced approach, steadfast in its solidarity with its brotherly nations, committed to the security of the Gulf, and resolute in pursuing a policy grounded in safeguarding interests, preserving sovereignty, and working toward peace and stability.
