Saudi Arabia Stops Crude Exports Through Bab Al Mandeb After Houthi Embargo

Saudi Arabia has halted crude oil exports through the Bab Al Mandeb strait after Houthi rebels declared a maritime embargo on Saudi vessels. The Houthis have targeted over 100 vessels in the Red Sea, sinking four ships and killing at least nine sailors since their campaign began.

Instead of using the Bab Al Mandeb route, crude oil deliveries to Asian customers are being rerouted via the Suez Canal. Weekly exports surged 106 percent to 1.06 million barrels per day during the week of the embargo announcement.

The Houthis claimed to have launched missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco's facilities in Jizan and Yanbu on Saturday, but neither the Saudi government nor Aramco has verified this information.