Yemen’s Houthi movement declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20, targeting Saudi-linked shipping routes through one of the world’s most critical trade chokepoints.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree delivered the announcement in a televised address, framing the blockade as a “siege for a siege,” a direct response to what the group describes as a 12-year Saudi-led blockade of Yemeni ports and recent military strikes including bombings at Sanaa airport.
Why the Bab el-Mandeb Strait matters to everyone
The blockade targets shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway at the southern tip of the Red Sea. A substantial share of global maritime trade flows through this corridor, including a significant chunk of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
This isn’t the Houthis’ first foray into maritime disruption. The group previously launched attacks on vessels linked to Israeli interests in the Red Sea, and in 2025, they blockaded Israel’s Haifa port during a period of heightened regional tensions.
