Bab el Mandeb is a narrow strait located between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a crucial maritime passage for international shipping. The strait is approximately 20 miles wide at its narrowest point. The region around Bab el Mandeb is strategically important for global trade, as it is a key route for oil and goods traveling to and from Europe, Asia, and Africa. The strait is also home to diverse marine life and has significant geopolitical implications due to its location near several countries, including Yemen and Djibouti.