Houthi maritime blockade threatens Bab el‑Mandeb Strait

Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, targeting the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait that links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the embargo was “based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye’ and takes effect now.” Saudi Arabia and the coalition it leads said they will take “all necessary measures” to protect commercial vessels.

Analysts warned that the strait carries about 12 % of global trade and roughly 7 % of the world’s oil supply. A full closure could cut Saudi oil exports by up to 7 % and push Brent crude above $115 – $120 a barrel, adding inflation pressure on energy‑importing economies. The move follows the collapse of a four‑year truce between the Houthis and the Saudi‑backed coalition and comes amid broader Iran‑Saudi rivalry; the Houthis are Iran‑aligned.

The United Nations called for immediate de‑escalation, urging all parties to respect resolutions on Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. The announcement has heightened market volatility and prompted insurance firms and traders to reassess the risk of a dual‑front disruption involving both the Bab el‑Mandeb and the already strained Strait of Hormuz.