The Houthi militia declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20, framing the move as retaliation for what they call a prolonged Saudi siege on Yemen. Military spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yahya Saree announced the embargo was effective immediately, describing it as “an eye for an eye.”
The target: Saudi ports and shipping lanes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow chokepoint at the southern tip of the Red Sea that handles roughly 7% of global oil supply.
What the blockade actually looks like
The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah and aligned with Iran, have already begun warning shipping companies via email not to use Saudi ports. The messaging is blunt: vessels risk attacks “in any location” within the group’s reach.
Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea port of Yanbu have reportedly averaged around 4 million barrels per day. That volume flowing through waters now declared hostile is enough to make energy traders lose sleep.
