Houthi Blockade Threatens Global Oil Supplies
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have threatened to blockade Saudi Arabia, potentially widening the Iran war and disrupting global oil supplies. The rebels say they will close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for the kingdom's blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on the international airport in Sanaa.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital shipping chokepoint, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Around 12% of the world's trade, including a fourth of global container traffic, passes through the narrows. The strait has become even more crucial for Saudi oil exports since the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war severely limited shipping out of the Persian Gulf.
The Houthi officials revealed that they have planned to disrupt shipping in the strait using naval mines, explosive-laden boats, drones, and helicopters. They will first warn vessels not to cross designated boundaries, and then resort to military action if ignored. The threat alone could keep international shippers from using the route.