Yemen's Houthis have declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This move comes as a response to Saudi Arabia's attack on Sanaa International Airport, which the Houthis blamed on the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have accused Saudi leaders of imposing an unjust and oppressive siege for nearly 12 years, impacting Yemen's ports and airports. This development raises concerns about the potential disruption of global commerce, particularly in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical shipping route for oil exports. The strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is just 29km wide at its narrowest point, making it a strategic chokepoint. With the Strait of Hormuz already closed due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, a blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb could significantly impact global oil and gas supply, further hampering Saudi Arabia's crucial oil exports. The Houthis' threat to disrupt international shipping and their call for general mobilization and support from the people of Yemen underscore the potential for a prolonged and complex conflict with far-reaching consequences for the region and global energy markets.
