The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), which provides security updates for commercial shipping in the Middle East, has reported that the Houthis have deployed missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
This development follows the Houthis' declaration of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, threatening to disrupt the kingdom's oil exports, which have recently surged to 3.5 million barrels per day from the Yanbu terminal.
Although commercial traffic has continued without significant disruption, ship tracking firm Kpler noted a 34% decline in traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb following the embargo announcement. Additionally, Iran has intensified its attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, further complicating the security landscape for maritime operations in the region.
The situation poses risks not only to shipping but also to global oil supply stability, as the Bab el-Mandeb is a vital conduit for oil exports