Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis have declared their own naval blockade of Saudi shipping, an escalation that could reignite a dormant regional conflict and threaten global oil supplies.
A Reuters video shows Yemeni Houthi supporters gathering in the capital Sanaa on Monday night and praising the naval blockade.
The Houthis, one of Iran’s main allies in the region, have long warned that they may take action to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a choke point at the southern end of the Red Sea.
The closure of the strategic waterway could significantly disrupt global trade and further disrupt oil markets.
Bab al-Mandab, meaning Gate of Tears, is located at the southern tip of the Red Sea and is a key gateway to the Suez Canal, which connects Europe and Asia through one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Just 29 kilometers (18 miles) in diameter at its narrowest point, the ship has previously been attacked by Houthi rebels.
Almost 15% of the world’s maritime trade passes through Bab al-Mandab. Industry estimates suggest that previous transportation disruptions likely cost the economy around $20 billion a year from 2023 to 2025.
The strait is an important export route for Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, and remained largely navigable during the war.
CNN’s Mostafa Salem contributed reporting.
