Houthis escalate threats against Saudi Arabia, raising risks to Red Sea shipping - analysis

The Iranian-backed Houthis have intensified their threats and attacks against Saudi Arabia throughout July, coinciding with rising U.S.-Iran tensions. This escalation poses significant risks to Red Sea shipping, a crucial route for Saudi energy exports.

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carried out a ‘qualitative military operation’ targeting two Saudi oil tankers, ‘ENCELIA’ and ‘LAYLA,’ after accusing the vessels of violating a maritime blockade decision in the Red Sea.

The latest actions stem from disputes over the Houthi-run Sana’a airport and Iran's attempts to fly into it, which Saudi Arabia opposes. Following this, the Houthis announced a blockade on Saudi shipping transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, effectively targeting a key waterway for the Red Sea.

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the operation was conducted using a number of ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, claiming that the attacks achieved “accurate hits” on both vessels and caused fires to break out onboard.

Overnight, the Houthis claimed to have conducted a "qualitative military operation" targeting two Saudi oil tankers, the 'ENCELIA' and 'LAYLA,' accusing them of violating the maritime blockade. The group stated the operation involved ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, resulting in "accurate hits" and fires onboard the vessels. The Houthis also claim to have forced ten ships attempting to transit the strait to turn around and have vowed continued blockade actions and major attacks on Saudi Arabia if there is a response.

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Four Saudi crude tankers were forced to turn back on Tuesday after Yemen’s Houthi militia warned that any vessel calling at Saudi ports could be targeted ‘in any location within the operational reach of the Yemeni Armed Forces,’ marking a sharp escalation in their Red Sea campaign.

This move by the Houthis appears aimed at increasing their relevance and supporting Iran by potentially opening a new front in the conflict. The group also recently congratulated Hamas on electing a new leader. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Arab News has published an analysis questioning whether the Houthis are miscalculating. The report notes that four Saudi crude tankers were forced to turn back after the Houthis warned that any vessel calling at Saudi ports could be targeted. Riyadh appears increasingly willing to defend its Red Sea lifelines, suggesting this latest escalation against Saudi Arabia could be met with a firm response.

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Riyadh appears increasingly willing to defend its Red Sea lifelines.