Two Saudi Oil Tankers Successfully Navigate Bab al-Mandeb Strait Amidst Houthi Blockade Threat

Sana. As Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia-related ships, two large oil tankers carrying Saudi crude oil successfully passed through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

According to Marine Traffic, a real-time ship tracking organization, the two tankers, the Xin Long Yang flying the Singaporean flag and the Cosnew Lake flying the Hong Kong flag, are currently traveling through the Gulf of Aden near the coast of Yemen. It is reported that these two ships together carry approximately 4 million barrels of Saudi crude oil.

This week, the Houthi group announced the implementation of a maritime blockade against Saudi ships. On Thursday, they claimed to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, which is seen as the first attempt to implement this blockade.

Marisx, an organization that analyzes maritime security risks, has warned that the Houthis may broaden the definition of what constitutes a Saudi-related ship. It is possible that foreign flag carriers going to Saudi ports, carrying Saudi oil, or related to Saudi commercial interests could also become targets.

Despite the increased security risks, according to the UK's UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the movement of international merchant ships through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait has continued normally so far.

UKMTO also reported, citing regional sources, that Iran has instructed the Houthi group to be ready to close the Red Sea oil route if tensions in West Asia further escalate.