Since the last two weeks, the Bab al-Mandab Strait has emerged as the new flashpoint in West Asia, with Houthis declaring a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia. Amid this, Pakistan is trying to get a foothold in this strategic region by signing a defence agreement with Somalia.&nbsp;The deal was signed during Somalian defence minister Ahmed Fiqi's visit to Pakistan, where he not only met his counterpart Khawaja Asif but also held separate meetings with the chiefs of the Pakistani army and navy.&nbsp;Now, let's look at what the agreement looks like.&nbsp;According to Somalia's defence ministry, it entails strengthening cooperation in security and military capability development.&nbsp;The MOU also focuses on exchange of military knowledge and training between both sides.&nbsp;Given the threat of terror outfit Al-Shabaab, the agreement's emphasis on fostering collaboration in counter-terrorism is also interesting.&nbsp;However, neither side has thrown clarity on whether military purchases are part of the deal.&nbsp;This assumes significance, as reports had earlier suggested that Somalia was in talks with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 fighter jets in a defence deal worth around 900 million US Dollars.&nbsp;Additionally, no timeline has been specified as well.&nbsp;But, why is this deal garnering traction?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Somalia is a key player in maritime trade and shipping, as it is adjacent to the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and Indian Ocean. Thus, even without military presence per se, an agreement could help Pakistan enhance its diplomatic prowess in wake of the ongoing Houthi threat. The timing of this MOU is also key. It comes days after Somalia and Pakistan joined a Saudi Arabia-led maritime defence alliance. This group of fourteen countries have come together to secure navigation around Bab al-Mandab, which caters to nearly 7% of global crude oil trade. The new military partnerships in the region come at a time when Houthis have intensified their attacks on vessels travelling to and from Saudi Arabian ports. A day earlier, it attacked a Saudi oil tanker with ballistic missiles. Earlier this week, an Indian-flagged commercial vessel sank in the Red Sea after coming under attack from this Iran-backed group. This also marks Pakistan's growing defence footprint in Africa. In December last year, Islamabad's ambitions came to the fore when it reached a deal worth four billion US Dollars to sell military equipment such as JF-17 fighter jets to the Libyan national army. However, it reportedly put a 1.5 billion US Dollar deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan on hold after Saudi Arabia's intervention. Pakistan's latest move is also seen as a part of its larger bid to showcase its military prowess globally. Last year, it inked a strategic mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. The two countries pledged that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both. Pakistani army chief Asim Munir has deployed thousands of troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia. In July, Kuwait ratified a defence agreement signed with Pakistan three years ago. As per reports, the pact established a framework for cooperation between Pakistani and Kuwaiti armed forces in areas such as training, intelligence sharing, logistics and military manufacturing. With Saudi Arabia reportedly planning a land operation against Houthis and strengthening of military ties on the other side, speculation is rife yet again as to whether Pakistan will intervene militarily in West Asia.

Somalia is a key player in maritime trade and shipping, as it is adjacent to the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and Indian Ocean. Thus, even without military presence per se, an agreement could help Pakistan enhance its diplomatic prowess in the wake of the ongoing Houthi threat.

Since the last two weeks, the Bab al-Mandab Strait has emerged as the new flashpoint in West Asia, with Houthis declaring a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia. Amid this, Pakistan is trying to get a foothold in this strategic region by signing a defence agreement with Somalia. The deal was signed during Somalian defence minister Ahmed Fiqi's visit to Pakistan, where he not only met his counterpart Khawaja Asif but also held separate meetings with the chiefs of the Pakistani army and navy. Now, let's look at what the agreement looks like. According to Somalia's defence ministry, it entails strengthening cooperation in security and military capability development. The MOU also focuses on exchange of military knowledge and training between both sides. Given the threat of terror outfit Al-Shabaab, the agreement's emphasis on fostering collaboration in counter-terrorism is also interesting. However, neither side has thrown clarity on whether military purchases are part of the deal. This assumes significance, as reports had earlier suggested that Somalia was in talks with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 fighter jets in a defence deal worth around 900 million US Dollars. Additionally, no timeline has been specified as well. But, why is this deal garnering traction?

Somalia is a key player in maritime trade and shipping, as it is adjacent to the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and Indian Ocean. Thus, even without military presence per se, an agreement could help Pakistan enhance its diplomatic prowess in the wake of the ongoing Houthi threat.

Pakistan inks defence pact with Somalia amid Houthi threat in Bab al-Mandab | Gravitas

Yemen's Houthi rebels have a message for Washington: they're watching, and they're ready. The Iran-backed group said Thursday (Mar 26) that it stands fully prepared to enter the war alongside Iran the moment things turn. "We stand fully militarily ready with all options," a Houthi leader told Reuters. The group has threatened that they will open a new war front, blocking another key global trade route - the Bab al-Mandab Strait, or the Gate of Tears, even as Iran continues to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices up.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-a-bad-start-for-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-trump-confirms-cia-told-him-mojtaba-khamenei-is-gay-1774570805558">'A bad start' for Iran's new Supreme Leader? Trump confirms CIA told him Mojtaba Khamenei is gay | Watch Viral video</a><h2>Houthi rebels ready to stand with Iran</h2>Speaking to Reuters, an unnamed Houthi leader announced that the rebels "stand fully militarily ready with all options". The language suggests that the rebel group was in direct talks with Tehran."Until now Iran is doing well and is defeating the enemy every day and the battle is going in its direction," the leader added. "If anything contrary to this happens, then we can assess." That "assessment," as per reports, would mean one thing: a new front, this time along the Red Sea.<h2>How important is the Bab al-Mandab Strait?</h2>The Houthis are based in Yemen, right next to the Bab al-Mandab Strait — a 20-mile-wide chokepoint where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden. It's not a stretch to call it one of the most consequential waterways on the planet. Roughly $1 trillion worth of goods move through it every year, connecting Europe and Asia. Shipping companies have no good alternative.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-thursday-stocks-tumble-in-worst-crash-of-2026-as-iran-toll-booth-pushes-oil-past-100-1774566312748">Black Thursday? Stocks tumble in worst crash of 2026 as Iran 'toll booth' pushes oil past $100</a>During the Israel-Hamas war, Houthi attacks along the passage caused serious disruption to global trade — enough to force major rerouting and drive up shipping costs worldwide.This time, the stakes are higher. With the Strait of Hormuz already effectively closed, Saudi Arabia — the world's largest oil exporter — has been rerouting its shipments through the Red Sea. Any Houthi action there wouldn't just rattle markets. It could choke off one of the last remaining arteries for Gulf oil reaching the rest of the world.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Are the Houthis about to open a new front in the Iran war? The Iran-backed group says it is “fully ready” to act, with warnings of targeting a key global chokepoint. If the Bab al Mandab Strait is hit, global trade could take a major blow. Scroll down to read more.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have a message for Washington: they're watching, and they're ready. The Iran-backed group said Thursday (Mar 26) that it stands fully prepared to enter the war alongside Iran the moment things turn. "We stand fully militarily ready with all options," a Houthi leader told Reuters. The group has threatened that they will open a new war front, blocking another key global trade route - the Bab al-Mandab Strait, or the Gate of Tears, even as Iran continues to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices up. Also read | 'A bad start' for Iran's new Supreme Leader? Trump confirms CIA told him Mojtaba Khamenei is gay | Watch Viral video Houthi rebels ready to stand with Iran Speaking to Reuters, an unnamed Houthi leader announced that the rebels "stand fully militarily ready with all options". The language suggests that the rebel group was in direct talks with Tehran. "Until now Iran is doing well and is defeating the enemy every day and the battle is going in its direction," the leader added. "If anything contrary to this happens, then we can assess." That "assessment," as per reports, would mean one thing: a new front, this time along the Red Sea. How important is the Bab al-Mandab Strait? The Houthis are based in Yemen, right next to the Bab al-Mandab Strait — a 20-mile-wide chokepoint where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden. It's not a stretch to call it one of the most consequential waterways on the planet. Roughly $1 trillion worth of goods move through it every year, connecting Europe and Asia. Shipping companies have no good alternative. Also read | Black Thursday? Stocks tumble in worst crash of 2026 as Iran 'toll booth' pushes oil past $100 During the Israel-Hamas war, Houthi attacks along the passage caused serious disruption to global trade — enough to force major rerouting and drive up shipping costs worldwide. This time, the stakes are higher. With the Strait of Hormuz already effectively closed, Saudi Arabia — the world's largest oil exporter — has been rerouting its shipments through the Red Sea. Any Houthi action there wouldn't just rattle markets. It could choke off one of the last remaining arteries for Gulf oil reaching the rest of the world. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Are the Houthis about to open a new front in the Iran war? The Iran-backed group says it is “fully ready” to act, with warnings of targeting a key global chokepoint. If the Bab al Mandab Strait is hit, global trade could take a major blow. Scroll down to read more.

After Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab Strait next? Houthi rebels threaten global trade lifeline, say 'fully militarily ready' to back Iran's war efforts

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Pakistan inks defence pact with Somalia amid Houthi threat in Bab al-Mandab | Gravitas

After Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab next? Houthis 'fully militarily ready' to back Iran