Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has declared a blockade targeting Saudi Arabia’s use of the Bab El Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This move ratchets up tensions in the region and poses a new risk to global shipping and energy markets, already affected by ongoing conflicts involving Iran and the Gulf.

The Houthis announced their intent to restrict passage at Bab El Mandeb to vessels connected to Saudi Arabia or operating in and out of its Red Sea ports. They claim this action is in retaliation for a Saudi-led blockade on Yemen and a recent airstrike on the international airport in the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana’a. Although the group asserts it forced several ships to reroute as of Tuesday, independent verification remains unavailable.

Bab El Mandeb is a critical artery for global maritime trade, with approximately 12 percent of world trade passing through it, including a significant share of container traffic en route between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal. The strait has gained further importance for Saudi crude exports after disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz—a major Persian Gulf passage—caused by Iran-related conflict.

The Houthis do not control the coastline adjacent to the strait itself, which remains under the control of their adversaries in Yemen’s fragmented civil war, though rebel-held territory lies within 100 kilometers. Houthi officials told news agencies that they have prepared for months to disrupt shipping through means such as naval mines, explosive boats, drones, helicopters, and boarding operations. Their stated policy involves warning vessels before taking military action against those violating designated boundaries.

Analysts note that simultaneous pressure on Bab El Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz could severely disrupt two of the world’s most vital maritime routes. In June, over seven million barrels of petroleum per day passed through Bab El Mandeb, a notable increase from pre-conflict levels.

Saudi Arabia has adjusted its export routes in response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, increasingly routing oil through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, with around 3.6 to 4 million barrels per day using this corridor recently. Some oil shipments have been rerouted via the SUMED pipeline in Egypt to the Mediterranean or shipped through the Suez Canal, though these options are strained by capacity limits and additional transit time that can extend voyages by up to four weeks.

While the Houthi threats echo a prior period during the Gaza conflict when the group attacked over 100 vessels, bringing a U.S. and Israeli military response that temporarily curtailed strikes, current market reactions have been relatively muted. Oil prices have risen modestly, buoyed by lower Chinese imports, increased output from the United Arab Emirates, and sizable U.S. fuel reserves.

Shipping companies have been placed on alert, with reports of the Houthis issuing warnings to shipowners not to load cargo at Saudi ports. Some vessels reportedly reversed course to avoid the strait, heading instead toward the Suez Canal.

Saudi Arabia’s military has vowed to respond firmly to any Houthi threats against vessels transiting the Red Sea. Meanwhile, experts caution that any attacks or perceived risks could deter shipping companies, raising insurance costs and prompting wider route diversions, all of which would further strain the already fragile global energy market.

Despite the heightened threat, some analysts suggest that the Houthis may calibrate their actions to avoid a full-scale maritime confrontation that could reignite the Yemen conflict. The group’s previous restraint in similar circumstances offers a degree of cautious optimism, though the potential for escalation remains a concern for regional stability and international trade.