Yemen's Houthis Declare Blockade on Saudi Arabia, Threatening Global Trade

Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia, a move that could escalate the ongoing conflict with Iran and further imperil global oil supplies and international trade. The rebels stated they have closed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for the kingdom's blockade on Yemen and a recent airstrike on the airport in Sanaa, the rebel-held capital. While the Houthis claim to have forced six ships to reroute on Tuesday, independent confirmation remains unavailable. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, situated at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is a critical maritime chokepoint. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and approximately 12% of the world's trade, including a quarter of global container traffic, transits through this narrow waterway, facilitating trade between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal. The strait's importance has grown for Saudi oil exports, especially since disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war have significantly limited shipping out of the Persian Gulf. The Houthis assert that they will only target vessels connected to Saudi Arabia or those entering or exiting its Red Sea ports. However, during a previous blockade announced against Israel concerning the war in Gaza, the rebels attacked numerous vessels with minimal or no connection to that conflict, raising concerns that the threat alone could deter international shippers from using the route. Three Houthi officials, speaking anonymously, revealed to the Associated Press that the group has been planning for months to disrupt shipping in the strait, employing naval mines, explosive-laden boats, drones, and helicopters. They indicated that vessels would first receive warnings before potential military action is taken if warnings are ignored. The potential disruption at Bab el-Mandeb, especially if combined with pressure on shipping in the Persian Gulf, could impact two of the world's most crucial maritime routes simultaneously. In June, over 7 million barrels of petroleum daily transited Bab el-Mandeb, a significant increase from pre-Iran war levels.

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The rebels say they have closed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for the kingdom's blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on the international airport in Yemen's rebel-held capital, Sanaa.