Houthi Naval Blockade Disrupts Bab el-Mandeb Shipping Routes
On July 27, 2026, shipping intelligence firm Kpler reported that maritime traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait dropped to its lowest level in months following Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations. The Iran-backed group maintained its blockade of Saudi ports in retaliation for recent strikes on their infrastructure. Yemen's internationally recognized government warned that the Houthis are mirroring Iran's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz to pressure global energy markets and regional rivals by targeting commercial chokepoints.
Date: July 27, 2026
Location: Yemen
Conflict: Red Sea Crisis
Category: naval
Severity: HIGH
Source: Reuters