Yemen's Houthi rebels announced an immediate maritime embargo targeting Saudi Arabia, a move they claim is a direct response to a Saudi blockade of Yemeni ports and airports. The announcement, made via the group's Al Masirah TV channel, raises concerns about potential disruptions to regional shipping, particularly in the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, a 32km-wide waterway connecting the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea, is a critical chokepoint for global trade. Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, stating their actions were in solidarity with Palestinians. These attacks led to ships being sunk, crew members killed, and a significant rerouting of commercial traffic around southern Africa. While attacks paused briefly in response to a Gaza ceasefire last October, traffic through the strait has not fully recovered, according to International Monetary Fund data.
In response to previous shipping disruptions, Saudi Arabia has increased its crude exports through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, diverting more than 70% of its oil shipments. In recent weeks, Yanbu has seen approximately 4 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude shipped, a substantial increase from about 973,000 bpd a year prior, according to data from Kpler and Signal Ocean. Total petroleum volumes transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait also rose to 7.4 million bpd in June, representing about 7% of global output.
Mohammed Albasha of the risk advisory firm Basha Report noted that it remains unclear whether the Houthis will actively target vessels bound for Saudi Arabia. "Even if no ships are attacked, the announcement alone is likely to disrupt shipping and create uncertainty for Saudi ports," Albasha told Reuters. "Whether the Houthis move from threats to direct action remains the critical issue."