Houthi Blockade Threatens Global Trade | Global News

Houthi rebels in Yemen have declared a blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a vital global shipping chokepoint — citing Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Yemen and a recent airstrike on Sanaa airport. With 12% of global trade and a quarter of container traffic passing through, this move threatens massive disruptions, especially for Saudi oil exports. Though Houthis claim they’ll only target Saudi-linked vessels, past behavior suggests otherwise. They’re preparing a multi-pronged attack using mines, drones, and helicopters — mirroring Iran’s tactics in the Strait of Hormuz — and may force ships to reroute around Africa, adding days and costs to global supply chains. If both straits are compromised, the world’s oil arteries could face a crippling double threat. Saudi Arabia vows to keep the strait open, calling Houthi actions piracy, while Houthis aim to break the coalition’s blockade and strengthen Iran’s regional leverage — risking a return to civil war in Yemen. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e4315464f3a6c239