Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, significantly escalating tensions in the region. The Iran-backed group declared the blockade in response to Saudi Arabia's blockade of Houthi ports and airports, as well as the targeting of Sanaa airport. This move threatens Saudi Arabia's ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and could severely impact global oil markets.
The Houthis did not specify how they plan to enforce the embargo, but their declaration came amid Iran's assertion that it is engaged in a 'full-scale war' with the United States. The exchange of strikes between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis last week marked the first such conflict in years, jeopardizing a 2022 truce that had been in place despite its expiration.
The blockade, if enforced, could strain Saudi Arabia's economy by cutting off access to its Red Sea ports, which are crucial for oil exports. This development comes as renewed fighting limits passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis have previously attempted to disrupt shipping through the Red Sea, particularly leveraging the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical chokepoint for vessels traveling to and from the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean.
Security expert Andreas Krieg noted that a simultaneous crisis at both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait would produce a much larger shock than either blockade alone. The potential disruption at both locations could severely impact global oil and liquefied natural gas exports, as well as the principal maritime connection between Asia, the Gulf, and Europe.
The Houthis previously launched attacks on ships transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait during the Gaza war in 2023, forcing vessels to take lengthy detours around Africa. The recent declaration of the maritime embargo has already sown panic on global energy markets, with concerns mounting over the potential for further escalation in the region.
