Why is the Bab al-Mandab Strait so important?

The BBC's Frank Gardner explains why the narrow waterway is key to oil transportation and the world economy. Thousands of refugees have fled Yemen in recent days after Iran-backed Houthis seized territory along the country's Red Sea coastline, including near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began in 2014, when the Houthis ousted the government from the capital, Sanaa. The conflict escalated in 2015, after a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened in an attempt to restore the government's rule. Now, following a Saudi request, the UK has said it will deploy a military aircraft to help refuel Saudi Arabian fighter jets taking part in "purely defensive" missions.

Why is the Bab al-Mandab Strait so important? Video, 00:01:17Why is the Bab al-Mandab Strait so important? Up Next. Watch: Threats, deals and passionate speeches at UNGA event. Video, 00:01:29Watch: Threats, deals and passionate speeches at UNGA event Watch: Ukraine's race to counter new jet-powered Russian drones. Video, 00:02:01Watch: Ukraine's race to counter new jet-powered Russian drones Watch: Timelapse shows typhoon barrelling towards Japan. Video, 00:00:48Watch: Timelapse shows typhoon barrelling towards Japan Inside Djibouti refugee camp for thousands fleeing Houthi advance in Yemen. Video, 00:00:45Inside Djibouti refugee camp for thousands fleeing Houthi advance in Yemen 'No surprises' as results emerge in Russian parliamentary election. Video,