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Yemen’s Houthis Capture Key Red Sea Port City
More shipping disruptions
From Mokha, which lies around 80 km north of Bab el-Mandeb, the Houthis have a stronger position to disrupt shipping, particularly targeting vessels travelling to and from Saudi Arabia, which is the world’s biggest crude exporter and a close U.S. ally.
Saudi Arabia has routed more oil to its Red Sea port of Yanbu after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But the Houthis declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia on July 20 and began attacking Saudi shipping and energy infrastructure. Saudi crude exports have fallen to their lowest level in 13 years, with production dropping 23% from July to August. Overall vessel traffic through Bab el-Mandeb fell around 24% in the week following the July blockade.
The kingdom has responded with airstrikes in Yemen’s north and warned Iran to rein in the group. It has supplied its Yemeni allies with arms, intelligence, and logistical assistance. The Saudi government is reportedly reticent to escalate its fight with the Houthis and has so far resisted requests for a broader air campaign in the south of Yemen and along the Red Sea coast.
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