LONDON: The fears of many came to fruition as, following further Houthi attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the Iran-backed Yemeni militia entered the war by imposing a blockade on the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. The aim was a further tightening on global oil supplies already being exercised by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz and the target was clear: Saudi Arabia and its oil exports. By Thursday, oil prices had hit $100 a barrel for the first time since May.

Five tankers have rerouted to avoid Bab el-Mandeb as fears grow that Red Sea disruptions could further raise oil prices, impact shipping routes, and strain US military resources.

Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are disrupting Red Sea shipping and adding fresh upward pressure to global oil prices.

Despite Houthi threats and a declared blockade against Saudi Arabia, oil shipments from Yanbu continue, though many Western tankers are going dark on transponders or rerouting via…

A Houthi spokesman said Friday that the rebels were not blocking traffic through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, after they declared a maritime embargo this week on their foe…