Reuters, citing shipping data, reports that two giant Saudi oil tankers crossed the Bab el-Mandeb strait over the weekend, defying the Houthi naval blockade declared last week. The crossing suggests that Saudi Arabia is challenging the Houthi siege, which has threatened Red Sea shipping.
Reuters, citing shipping data, reported Monday that two Saudi oil tankers crossed the Bab el-Mandeb strait over the weekend, directly challenging the naval blockade declared by the Houthi movement last week. The crossing, which took place despite Houthi threats to fire on vessels without authorization, indicates that Saudi Arabia is actively testing the effectiveness of the blockade.
The Houthi movement declared a naval siege on the strait on July 27, initiating a military confrontation with Saudi Arabia, as The Zioneer reported. On July 30, a senior Houthi official threatened to target any ship attempting to transit without prior coordination and payment of a fee. The crossing of Saudi tankers undermines the credibility of the blockade and suggests that Saudi naval forces are providing protection.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait is a strategic chokepoint for Israeli and global trade, and the Houthi blockade has been a major concern for Israel's security establishment. The successful crossing of two tankers may signal a shift in the balance of power in the Red Sea region.
- StrongHouthis declared naval siege on Bab el-Mandeb last week, sparking Saudi confrontation
- StrongTwo Chinese-linked tankers carrying 4M barrels of Saudi crude cross Bab el-Mandeb strait
- DevelopingHouthi movement declares closure of Bab el-Mandeb strait, threatens to fire on ships without authorization
- DevelopingHouthis reportedly attacked two Saudi oil tankers in Gulf of Aden, Israel Hayom says
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