Are Houthis threatening Bab el-Mandeb?

The Ansar Allah (Houthi) group denied imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, but announced the start of a blockade on maritime routes in the Red Sea in response to what they described as a "comprehensive siege" on Yemen's ports and airports. They did not specify which areas or types of ships are targeted, nor the duration of the blockade. This announcement raises questions about the nature of the targeted vessels, as it remains unclear whether it specifically targets ships flying the Saudi flag or vessels heading to Saudi ports. However, the blockade is expected to disrupt shipping and export movements, especially since the Yanbu port, through which about 70% of Saudi oil exports pass, is a strategic passage. Analysts believe the threat could extend to targeting oil ships or vessels owned by Saudi Arabia, potentially impacting the global energy market, especially since around 7% of the world's oil production passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Some analysts link the announcement to Iran, suggesting that the group is exploiting this step to pressure Saudi ports and pursue a "blockade-by-blockade" policy within a regional context where tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel are escalating. So far, there are no clear details about how the blockade will be implemented or the nature of potential attacks, but the group's escalation indicates that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has become a leverage point and a possible arena for naval conflict.

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