Houthis Force Six Saudi Oil Tankers to Reroute Away from Red Sea Amid Threats

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has forced six Saudi oil tankers to reroute their journeys away from the Red Sea, according to ship-tracking data. The vessels, which were returning empty from Asian destinations, altered their course in the Gulf of Aden and steered towards South Africa instead of transiting the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The move follows Houthi warnings to shipping companies that vessels dealing with Saudi ports would be targeted. Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out attacks using missiles, drones, and explosive-laden boats against commercial ships, leveraging their control of Yemen's coastline to threaten one of the world's most vital trade and energy corridors.

Ship-tracking data from the London Stock Exchange Group and MarineTraffic platform confirmed that the six Saudi-flagged supertankers altered their course, avoiding the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. This development is a significant escalation in the conflict between the Houthis and international shipping interests.