Houthis Target Saudi Oil Infrastructure in Red Sea
Saudi Arabia is facing growing pressure from Houthi attacks on its oil infrastructure in the Red Sea, forcing the kingdom to shift a significant share of its exports via an alternative pipeline. The Houthis have announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea since July, with several ships already being targeted.
The Yemeni movement has also launched a ground offensive towards the Red Sea, aiming to move closer to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. This passage is one of the main transit points for energy trade between Asia and Europe.
Saudi oil flows are now under pressure on two fronts, according to Andreas Krieg, a researcher at King's College. The combination of pressure on both fronts is intensifying the strain on the kingdom's export capacity.