A report indicates that Saudi vessels or ships bound for Saudi Arabia are no longer entering the Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb strait, citing the threat of Houthi attacks. The development effectively closes another major maritime chokepoint to Saudi shipping, according to the report.
Just a day after the Houthi movement declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and reports emerged of vessels turning back in the Red Sea, a new report indicates that Saudi vessels and ships bound for Saudi Arabia are now entirely avoiding the Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to a single unverified source. The report, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation, effectively closing the strategic chokepoint to Saudi shipping.
The desk reported a series of developments on Monday, July 20, all emerging around 20:32 Jerusalem time: an audio recording of Houthi orders to ships, an analysis of a full blockade, Houthi email warnings to shipping companies, and multiple reports of oil tankers reversing course toward the Suez Canal. The Houthi-affiliated Saba agency later claimed six ships had turned back, and the Houthi movement officially claimed responsibility, threatening Saudi-linked vessels. Further reports identified two Saudi oil tankers that turned back. The source quality evolved from single unverified reports to official Houthi statements, but no independent confirmation from maritime tracking agencies or Saudi authorities has been received.
The Houthi campaign against Saudi maritime traffic has been escalating over recent weeks. The group declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20 (as The Zioneer reported at 20:14 Jerusalem), and earlier attacked a vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb strait on June 15 and again on July 17. The Houthis also declared a no-fly zone over Saudi airspace on July 14. These measures are part of a broader campaign by the Iran-backed group, which has also threatened airlines and targeted Saudi airports.
The latest report is based on a single unverified source. No official confirmation has been released by Saudi authorities, maritime tracking agencies, or the Houthi movement. The identity of the specific ships, the scale of the disruption, and whether the avoidance is a formal policy or a spontaneous precaution remain unclear.
11 developments
- DevelopingHouthi military spokesman declared naval blockade against Saudi Arabia
- DevelopingHouthi-affiliated news agency claims six ships turned back in Red Sea after blockade warning
- DevelopingSaudi-adjacent daily: Yemen weighs blocking Bab el-Mandeb to Saudi shipping
- StrongIran targeted Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia missile attack, US source says
Source and signal
- Internal intake