Houthi forces force eight Saudi oil tankers to reroute around Africa

The Yemen‑based Houthi militia (Ansar Allah) announced that it forced eight Saudi oil tankers to change course and head toward the Cape of Good Hope, bypassing the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandab. The group said the action was part of a "blockade by blockade" strategy in response to what it calls a Saudi naval blockade.

According to the Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the tankers were compelled to avoid the Red Sea and instead take the longer, costlier route around Africa. Bloomberg ship‑tracking data showed at least six Saudi tankers diverting, with some heading to Gibraltar and South African ports before proceeding toward the Cape of Good Hope.

Saudi officials initially did not confirm the incident. The diversion highlights escalating tensions in the Red Sea corridor, where the Houthi control of the Bab al‑Mandab strait threatens a key global oil transit route and could affect energy prices and world trade.