Houthi Advances in Yemen Threaten Saudi Energy Exports and Regional Stability
The rapid advance of Houthi rebels in Yemen has complicated an already volatile Middle East conflict, threatening Saudi Arabia's strategic interests and energy exports.
The Houthis have been targeting Saudi cities and infrastructure, including a pumping station that was damaged by a drone launched from Iraq. This has put at risk the viability of a work-around to the Strait of Hormuz that allowed Saudi oil exports to remain at about half their pre-war levels.
Saudi Arabia may respond to these attacks by rerouting oil back to its east coast facilities on the Persian Gulf, but this would leave its exports vulnerable to Iranian attacks on shipping in the strait. A 'double choke point' crisis could arise if both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait are effectively shut, making it impossible for Saudi Arabia to continue exporting oil and other goods by ship.
The Saudi leadership is seeking to form a multilateral coalition of states that can contribute to ensuring maritime and regional security in and around the Red Sea. This would include naval assets from Egypt and Turkey, as well as military support from Pakistan. However, this effort may be too little, too late, as patience is wearing thin in Riyadh over the US's failure to protect Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States.