Yemen’s Houthi militants have completed preparations to attack ships transiting the southern Red Sea, deploying missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to a maritime security group led by the U.S. Navy.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, headquartered in Bahrain, issued the warning to commercial vessels Tuesday, citing sources close to the Iran-backed group. The strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a critical artery for global oil shipments.
The threat comes as the Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Monday, vowing to disrupt the kingdom’s oil exports through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. The move carries particular significance as Saudi shipments through this route have become increasingly important while Iran targets tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Exports at Risk
Riyadh has redirected massive volumes of crude through a pipeline to its Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea. According to data from ship tracking firm Kpler, exports from that terminal through the Bab el-Mandeb surged to 3.5 million barrels per day in June, up from just 240,000 barrels per day during the same period last year.
Despite the heightened threat, commercial traffic continued through the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb with no attacks reported in the two days following the Houthi announcement. The Joint Maritime Information Center assessed the threat level as “moderate” and noted that vessels continued using established shipping lanes without disruption.
However, shipping patterns showed signs of disruption. Kpler observed traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb declined 34% on Tuesday compared with Monday, when the Houthis announced their embargo.
Tankers Turning Back
Four tankers carrying Saudi cargo reversed course before reaching Bab el-Mandeb on Tuesday, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward. The vessels were transporting 3.8 million barrels of crude oil, gasoil and naphtha.
The Houthis have repeatedly threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Their ability to disrupt shipping in the area would further strain global oil markets already contending with Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Broader Maritime Threats
Iran has escalated attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, attempting to force vessels to transit through its territorial waters. Three tankers carrying crude oil, refined products and chemicals came under attack near Oman and the United Arab Emirates this week.
Since July 6, a dozen ships have been attacked in and around Hormuz, resulting in two seafarer deaths and more than a dozen injuries, according to the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency.
The dual threats in both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb create a challenging environment for the global oil trade. Combined, these chokepoints handle a substantial portion of seaborne petroleum shipments, and sustained disruptions could push energy prices higher and force costly route diversions around the southern tip of Africa.
Source: www.cnbc.com — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/22/houthis-red-sea-bab-el-mandeb-saudi-oil-iran.html
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