Houthi Rebels Block Key Shipping Route, Isolate Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is facing its worst military setback in a decade after Houthi rebels from Yemen seized control of the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, also known as the 'Gate of Tears', on September 10. This move effectively bars the kingdom's oil tankers from accessing the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea.

The Houthi rebels have also established a foothold on the small island of Mayun, which provides them with a vantage point to strike tankers from several directions at once. In fact, according to a Houthi non-commissioned officer, 'Simple artillery positions here and there' along the coast would allow them to block this maritime route.

The Bab Al-Mandab Strait is a crucial waterway that accounts for 12% of global trade. Its closure poses significant risks to Saudi Arabia's oil exports, which are heavily reliant on maritime access.