# Houthi attacks disrupt Saudi oil exports

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-attacks-disrupt-saudi-oil-exports
> Updated: 2026-08-05T17:32:26.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, Yemeni Houthi rebels struck two Saudi oil facilities in the Red Sea. The attacks sparked a sell‑off across Gulf equity markets, with Saudi Aramco shares falling about 0.9% and the Saudi benchmark index slipping 0.3%. Regional banks and insurers also felt the impact, as Lloyd’s announced it would cease issuing war‑risk coverage for vessels linked to Saudi Arabia and Saudi French Bank’s shares dropped 4% after a dividend‑rights issue.

By early August, the fallout had deepened. Houthi maritime attacks curtailed loading at the Yanbu LNG terminal, cutting August LNG exports by roughly 69% compared with July. Crude oil shipments from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf fell about 40% below pre‑conflict levels, and Aramco’s chief executive estimated a loss of more than 2.6 billion barrels of oil since the escalation. Shipping routes were rerouted away from the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb, with some vessels disabling AIS transponders and others using the Sumed pipeline to reach the Mediterranean. The heightened risk drove up insurance premiums and further constrained export volumes.

## Claims

- LNG exports from Yanbu fell 69 % in August, from 296,900 tonnes in July to 91,500 tonnes. (disputed by 2 sources)
- The tanker New York Lord loaded the last LNG cargo from Yanbu on 28 July. (disputed)
- Aramco’s chief executive said the world has lost more than 2.6 billion barrels of oil due to the disruptions. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Rebuilding global oil inventories to pre‑disruption levels could take about 18 months at a replenishment rate of 2.1 million barrels per day. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Saudi crude oil exports in July were about 40 % lower than pre‑war levels. (single source)
- At least 14 ships were attacked in the Red Sea in July, up from eight in June. (single source)
- Some Saudi tankers have been loading oil while disabling AIS transponders to avoid detection. (single source)
- Cargoes are being rerouted through the Sumed pipeline to bypass the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Saudi oil and gas exports hit by Yemeni attacks, 2.6 bn barrel loss

Yemeni attacks cut Saudi LNG shipments by 69% and contributed to a global loss of over 2.6 bn barrels of oil, with crude exports down 40% from pre‑war levels and recovery expected to take up to 18 months.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aramco-says-global-oil-loss-tops-26-billion-barrels-amid-red-sea-shipping-disruptions

### 2026-07-26: Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities trigger Gulf stock market sell‑off

Houthi strikes on Saudi oil sites caused Saudi Aramco and regional Gulf stocks to tumble, Lloyd’s halted war‑risk coverage, and markets across the Gulf and Egypt fell.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egyptian-banks-report-stable-us-dollar-rates-on-july-26-2026

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Cite as: Houthi attacks disrupt Saudi oil exports. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-attacks-disrupt-saudi-oil-exports