Yemen’s Houthi forces, backed by Iran, announced on Monday that they are enforcing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the kingdom’s alleged blockade of Yemen and a recent strike on Sanaa International Airport, raising concerns over the disruption of a critical global shipping route.
In a video statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared the embargo would take effect immediately, framing it as “an eye for an eye.” The Houthis have not detailed enforcement methods, but deputy media head Nasruddin Amer stated on X that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would be closed in response to what they describe as Saudi Arabia’s “unjust blockade” lasting over a decade.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, meaning “Gate of Tears” in Arabic, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital chokepoint for roughly 12% of global trade, including a quarter of worldwide container traffic destined for the Suez Canal. A closure would compel shipping routes to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, adding two to three weeks to voyages between Asia and Europe and significantly increasing costs.
The Houthis previously disrupted Red Sea shipping during the Israel-Hamas conflict, targeting over 100 vessels and prompting major companies to suspend transits. This led to a multinational naval mission by the U.S. and allies to secure the region. It remains unclear if the group will resume such attacks against Saudi Arabia. The kingdom, already under strain, relies on its East-West Pipeline to transport millions of barrels of crude oil daily as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has blockaded since late February amid regional tensions.
The conflict stems from Yemen’s 2014 civil war, when the Houthis overran the capital and forced the government into exile. A 2022 truce collapsed following reports of Saudi strikes on Sanaa, which the Houthis attributed to an attempt to disrupt a flight carrying leaders returning from Iran. This led to missile and drone attacks on Abha International Airport, marking one of the most severe confrontations in years. The Houthis aim to assert control over Yemeni airspace, challenging the Saudi-led coalition’s longstanding restrictions they claim prevent weapons from reaching rebels.
“We affirm the right of our people to respond to the blockade with a blockade,” Saree stated, warning the Houthis would confront “any foolish act by the reckless Saudi enemy” with “comprehensive and decisive escalation.” The group, part of Iran’s Axis of Resistance alongside Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iraqi militias, faces constraints due to depleted drone supplies, as the Iran-Israel conflict has further restricted weapon flows, according to Houthi sources.
The U.S. and Israel previously retaliated to Houthi attacks with strikes on Yemeni territories, leading to a temporary halt in hostilities. The earlier disruptions heightened shipping costs and supply chain concerns amid ongoing regional instability.
