Houthis Escalate Campaign Against Saudi Arabia's Oil Tankers

The Houthi group in Yemen has escalated its campaign against Saudi Arabia, targeting oil tankers and disrupting crude exports through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group claims this is a 'blockade-for-blockade' response to Saudi restrictions on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

According to maritime data firm Kpler, crude loaded at Yanbu and transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait has fallen by roughly half since the attacks began, from about 3 million barrels per day before the attacks to around 1.5 million barrels per day.

The Houthis have been seeking concessions from Saudi Arabia, including fewer restrictions on airports and ports, payment of public-sector salaries in their regions from Yemen's oil and gas revenues, a comprehensive prisoner exchange, and Saudi financing for reconstruction and compensation.