Yemen Conflict Threatens Global Energy Security
The conflict in Yemen has escalated into a global energy security concern, affecting routes between Asia and Europe. The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen began in March 2015 after the Houthi movement seized Sana'a, prompting concerns about regional security. However, the conflict's implications extend beyond the Arabian Peninsula, impacting global energy trade and commercial routes.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea, while the Red Sea connects to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Approximately 4.2 million barrels per day of crude oil and petroleum products passed through Bab el-Mandeb during the first half of 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This is a significant reduction from the approximately 9 million barrels per day that passed through the chokepoint in 2023.
The Red Sea Crisis has provided a practical demonstration of energy security's vulnerability. Several major shipping companies diverted vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, adopting the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. This diversion has substantial economic implications, including higher fuel consumption, increased insurance premiums, and longer delivery periods.
Saudi Arabia occupies an important position in this equation, being one of the world's largest oil producers with significant infrastructure designed to provide alternative export routes. However, redirecting oil towards the Red Sea can reduce dependence on one maritime chokepoint while increasing exposure to another. The security of Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure is therefore increasingly connected to the security of Yemen and the Red Sea.
The Asian dimension is particularly important, with China, India, Japan, and South Korea among the world's largest energy-importing economies. Approximately 89 percent of crude oil and condensate passing through the Strait of Hormuz during the first half of 2025 was destined for Asian markets, according to the EIA.