Houthis Announce Plans to Block Saudi Shipping in Red Sea Chokepoint
Yemen's Houthi group has announced that it will block shipping to Saudi Arabia through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The strait is a vital maritime route through which approximately 12% of global trade normally passes.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen including the capital Sanaa, said the move is aimed at pressuring the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting them since 2015. The group has previously targeted Saudi oil infrastructure and vessels, but this is the first time they have explicitly threatened to block the strait.
Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world's most important oil chokepoints, and any disruption could have significant consequences for global energy supplies. The Houthi announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including ongoing conflicts in Yemen and the broader Middle East.
International maritime authorities have expressed concern over the potential impact on shipping. The Saudi-led coalition has not yet issued an official response, but it has previously stated its commitment to keeping the waterway open. The Houthis have claimed that they have the military capability to carry out the blockade, though their ability to enforce it remains uncertain.
The conflict in Yemen has led to what the United Nations describes as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing food insecurity and disease. The Houthis are often described as being backed by Iran, a claim they deny, but have received support in the form of weapons and training from Tehran.
