On 20 July 2026 the Iran‑backed Houthi militia announced a maritime embargo aimed at Saudi Arabia. The embargo is a response to a Saudi blockade of Yemen ports and airports, and will take effect immediately.
The Houthi military spokesman said the embargo will target the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea. By closing the strait, the Houthis plan to prevent Saudi vessels from passing through.
The move comes a week after the Houthis launched missiles at an airport in Abha, Saudi Arabia, following a Saudi strike on Sanaa airport. The crude-war context is the broader Yemen crisis that started in 2014.
The Houthis argue that the Saudi blockade is “unjust and oppressive”, seizing Yemeni resources and restricting air, land and sea access. The embargo is framed as an “eye for an eye” response.
The Bab al‑Mandab Strait is 32km wide and connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, linking to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. Any restriction on this chokepoint would ripple through global shipping lanes.
Oil traffic through the strait has already been affected by Houthi attacks, with several vessels sunk in 2023. Analysts warn that a new embargo could further disrupt oil exports and increase shipping costs.
A Houthi media officer posted on X that the forces are preparing to close the strait to Saudi ships. No announcement from Saudi authorities has appeared yet.
The escalation raises concerns for the international community and for economies that rely on stable flow of crude through the Red Sea.
The situation remains tense as the Houthis shift from threats to potential direct action.
