Sea blockade: Houthi militia apparently forcing ships to turn back

The Huthi militia has reportedly enforced its announced naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, compelling several ships to turn back. According to reports from the Huthi-controlled news agency Saba, six vessels were forced to alter their course within 24 hours after receiving warnings from the group. These claims have yet to be independently verified, though the Huthi have been broadcasting similar messages via radio in recent days. The Huthi-controlled center for humanitarian operations in Sanaa also stated that ship owners and operators had been urged to coordinate their movements beforehand. The warning issued by the Huthi militia cautioned against approaching Saudi Arabian ports, with threats of attacks on any vessels doing so. In response, two tankers, originally heading toward China and India, changed course on Tuesday, steering toward the Suez Canal to avoid the Yemeni coast. This shift was noted in shipping data from LSEG, which tracks maritime activity. The move suggests growing caution among international carriers amid heightened tensions. The Huthi declared the naval blockade on Monday, citing the Saudi-supported government’s attack on Sanaa International Airport as justification. The group claimed that Saudi Arabia would now face a “ban on navigation,” although the exact scope of this restriction remained unclear. U.S. President Donald Trump responded during a meeting with Lebanon’s president, stating that there had been no prior blockade by the Huthi. “If it happens, we will take care of it,” he said, referencing previous U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. The potential complete closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait could significantly impact global oil supplies. Controlled primarily by the Huthi, the strait connects the Red Sea to the African continent and serves as a critical route for maritime traffic. With the Huthi already restricting passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil exports, the situation has raised concerns over supply chain disruptions. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, has increasingly relied on pipelines to the Red Sea to bypass these restrictions. A full blockage of the Bab al-Mandab could reduce the global oil supply by up to seven percent, according to Reuters. This would severely affect markets reliant on Saudi oil shipments, particularly given the current limitations imposed by the Strait of Hormuz. The Huthi’s control over strategic waterways underscores their ability to influence regional and global energy dynamics, especially in light of ongoing conflicts and geopolitical rivalries. Since early 2023, many international shipping companies have largely avoided the Red Sea and Suez Canal, opting instead for longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope off the South African coast. This shift was prompted by earlier attacks by the Huthi on vessels transiting the Red Sea, which coincided with hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The current developments suggest a renewed escalation in the region, potentially leading to further disruptions in global trade and energy flows. As tensions continue to mount, the implications for international commerce and geopolitics remain uncertain.