In brief
Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi movement has declared a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, closing the strategic Bab al‑Mandab Strait in retaliation for a Saudi blockade of Yemeni ports and airports. The embargo, announced by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, threatens to disrupt shipping lanes that carry a significant portion of Saudi crude exports to the global market. Saudi Arabia has condemned the move, pledging to protect its vessels under international law, while analysts warn that the threat could increase uncertainty for shipping companies and impact oil flows through the Red Sea. This development comes amid a heightened regional conflict, with the Houthis previously targeting merchant vessels in support of the Gaza war, and illustrates the fragile security of key maritime chokepoints in the Middle East.
The Iran‑backed Houthi movement in Yemen has announced a full maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, with its military spokesperson Yahya Sarea declaring the closure of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, the Red Sea’s southern gateway, to Saudi vessels. The embargo is a direct response to Saudi Arabia’s blockade of ports and airports in Houthi‑controlled north‑western Yemen, which the Houthis describe as a 12‑year‑old oppression of their people.
In an urgent statement, Sarea said the embargo would be activated immediately and would be “an eye for an eye” against what he called the “criminal Saudi enemy.” The deputy head of the Houthi media office confirmed on X that the group’s forces were closing the strait, adding that any escalation by Saudi forces would be met with decisive retaliation.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry quickly condemned the allegations, saying it would take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law. The announcement has sparked concern among shipping companies and international observers, as the Bab al‑Mandab Strait is a critical conduit for oil exports from Saudi Arabia, especially after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Israel‑Iran and Gaza conflict.
The Red Sea has already become a focal point of the wider conflict. After the Gaza war began in October 2023, the Houthis intensified attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming they were acting in support of Palestinian fighters. Between 2023‑2024, four ships were sunk, nine crewmen were killed, and commercial traffic through the strait fell to record lows, forcing many shipping companies to reroute around southern Africa.
Despite a temporary pause during the Gaza ceasefire, transits through Bab al‑Mandab have not yet returned to pre‑war levels. According to the International Monetary Fund, the volume of petroleum passing through the strait rose to 7.4 million barrels per day in June, representing about 7 % of global oil output. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has shifted more than 70 % of its crude exports to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, moving roughly 4 million barrels per day in recent weeks.
Risk analyst Mohammed Albasha of Basha Report highlighted that even if the Houthis do not directly attack Saudi vessels, the mere announcement of a maritime embargo could disrupt shipping and create uncertainty for Saudi ports. He added that it remains critical to monitor whether the threat escalates into direct action.
These developments underscore the fragile security of key maritime chokepoints in the Middle East and the broader implications for global trade and energy supply chains amid a long‑standing civil war in Yemen that began in 2014 and has claimed more than 150,000 lives.
