Key facts
- Yemen's Houthi rebels declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint for global trade, with 12% of world trade passing through it.
- The strait has become increasingly important for Saudi oil exports.
- The Houthis claim to have forced six ships to reroute.
- Rerouting voyages around Africa could add one to two weeks and significantly increase costs for shippers.
- US President Donald Trump indicated readiness to respond if the blockade occurs.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a move that could potentially widen regional conflict and further disrupt global oil supplies and international trade. The rebels claim to have forced six ships to reroute.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Arabia, is a critical maritime chokepoint through which approximately 12% of the world's trade passes. Its importance for Saudi oil exports has grown, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions.
The Houthis stated their blockade would target vessels connected to Saudi Arabia or its Red Sea ports. However, past actions suggest potential for broader targeting. The threat alone could deter international shippers, forcing them to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding one to two weeks to voyages and increasing costs.
Saudi Arabia exports around 4 million barrels of oil daily through its Red Sea port of Yanbu. While alternative routes exist, such as shipping oil to Egypt for onward transport, the disruption poses significant risks. The Houthis' plans reportedly include naval mines, explosive boats, drones, and helicopters for boarding ships.
US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, stating that if the blockade occurs, the U.S. would 'take care of business.' Saudi Arabia's military has vowed to keep the strait open, calling the threats a violation of international law and an act of maritime piracy.
The conflict has roots in Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014. The Houthis claim Saudi Arabia recently struck an airport in Sanaa, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport.