Yemen's Houthi rebels announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, closing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping with immediate effect. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described the measure as retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled territory and a strike on Sanaa International Airport the previous week. The internationally recognized Yemeni government claimed responsibility for the Sanaa attack, saying it aimed to prevent Iranian aircraft from landing. Following the announcement, two oil tankers rerouted after departing Saudi Arabia on July 21.
The Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint handled 7.4 million barrels per day of petroleum in June, while Saudi exports from Yanbu port reached a record 4.19 million barrels daily that same month. The embargo compounds disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed since late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The escalation threatens a fragile 2022 truce and follows 10 consecutive days of U.S.-Iranian exchanges, with U.S. Central Command targeting Iranian military infrastructure on July 20.