Houthi Rebels Storm Red Sea Coast, Threaten Saudi Oil Exports
Yemen's Houthi rebels have stormed down the Red Sea coast, capturing key maritime chokepoints and threatening Saudi Arabia's oil exports. The move has reignited Yemen's 12-year civil war and pushed up global fuel prices.
The Houthis' biggest land grab in years has forced over 125,000 Yemenis to flee their homes, with widespread humanitarian consequences. The conflict has killed over 150,000 people and at times pushed the country to the brink of famine.
Saudi Arabia's oil exports are now under threat as the Houthis fire at Saudi oil facilities and tankers. An attack on Saudi Arabia's east-west pipeline, blamed on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, added to the kingdom's 'unfolding nightmare'.
The Houthi blitz has also expanded their target bank beyond Saudi ships and tankers. They may extend the criteria for assessing vessels as 'Saudi-linked' to increase pressure on both Saudi Arabia and the global economy.