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Houthis Declare Naval Blockade of Saudi Arabia, Threatening Red Sea Shipping Recovery

Houthi rebels in Yemen announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia on Monday, escalating tensions in a region critical to global maritime commerce. The blockade targets the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, a chokepoint connecting Asia with Mediterranean and European ports.

The militant group tied the action to what it characterized as a Saudi siege and warned of further escalation if Riyadh retaliates. The declaration threatens to derail the fragile recovery of container services through the Red Sea. Major carriers had only recently resumed scheduled services after diversions around Africa due to earlier Houthi terror attacks that began in late 2023.

Attacks on merchant shipping had diminished significantly during 2025 as the group's primary sponsor, Iran, faced internal difficulties. However, the new blockade declaration signals renewed regional volatility and poses substantial risks to energy exports and strategic maritime traffic.