What strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden?

The strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden is the Bab-el-Mandeb. It lies between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, with Djibouti and Eritrea on the African side. Through the Gulf of Aden, it provides a maritime route to the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

Bab-el-Mandeb means “Gate of Tears” or “Gate of Lamentation” in Arabic, a name traditionally linked to the dangers of navigating the passage. The island of Perim divides the strait into two channels. Its narrowest crossing is roughly 26 kilometres, making it a significant maritime chokepoint.

The strait became especially important to global trade after the Suez Canal opened in 1869. Ships traveling between Europe and Asia through the Suez route must pass through Bab-el-Mandeb, so disruptions can force vessels to take the much longer journey around southern Africa. It is distinct from the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.