Qatar warns closing Bab el-Mandeb would be catastrophic for the world

Qatar warned on Tuesday that closing the Bab el-Mandeb strait would be catastrophic for the world, as the Houthi movement in Yemen seized more islands in the Red Sea. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have already taken key positions near the strait and attacked Saudi shipping. The warning comes amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have already affected global energy supplies. Qatar called for diplomatic efforts to keep waterways open.