Houthi Rebels Block 50+ Saudi Oil Tankers Amid Maritime Embargo

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have been carrying out attacks against Saudi oil tankers and blocking their passage through the Bab el Mandeb strait. Since July 20, when they declared a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, their forces have attacked eight Saudi oil tankers, five in the Red Sea and three in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

According to Yahya Sari, military spokesman for the Houthi rebels, these attacks have prevented 48 Saudi oil tankers from passing through the Bab el Mandeb strait. This includes 34 tankers that were unable to transit through the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, and another 14 that failed to cross the Red Sea.

The Houthi rebels have also launched nine military operations against key nodes for Saudi oil production, including the ports of Yanbu and Jizan and the Eastern Province. Additionally, they have attacked concentrations of Saudi troops within Yemeni territory, resulting in hundreds of soldiers dead and wounded.