Yemen's Houthis announce Saudi naval blockade: What it means for oil trade

Yemen's Houthi movement has announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising fears of renewed tensions in West Asia and potential disruptions to global oil supplies. The group said the "maritime embargo" was a response to what it described as Saudi Arabia's long-standing blockade of Yemen and warned of stronger action if Riyadh escalates the conflict. The announcement follows last week's strike on Sanaa International Airport, which the Houthis blamed on Saudi Arabia. Yemen's internationally recognised government, however, said it carried out the attack to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing in the capital. In retaliation, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport, which were intercepted by the Saudi-led coalition. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical shipping route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, is central to the dispute. Around 10–12% of global trade and nearly 7% of the world's oil supply pass through the waterway. Any disruption could delay shipping, increase transport costs and push up global energy prices. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on its Red Sea export terminal at Yanbu following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A prolonged blockade of Bab el-Mandeb could therefore affect Saudi oil exports and further strain global energy markets already facing geopolitical uncertainty.

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