Houthis say Bab al-Mandeb traffic is not closed despite Saudi blockade

A Houthi spokesman said the rebels are not blocking traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, after declaring a maritime embargo this week against Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Abdusalam, who is also a senior Houthi negotiator, said there was no closure of Bab al-Mandeb as some had suggested. He said the Houthi position was limited to a maritime blockade affecting only Saudi Arabia.

The Iran-backed group attacked a Saudi ship in the nearby Red Sea after announcing the blockade. The blockade threatens Saudi Arabia's ability to move supplies to world markets after Iran also blocked the Strait of Hormuz, the kingdom's other maritime route.

Global energy markets had already been unsettled by renewed fighting between the United States and Iran. Brent crude briefly rose above $100 on Thursday after the Houthi attack.

The Houthis warned ships in a radio message on Monday that they would target ships belonging to what they called the Saudi enemy if they did not comply with the blockade.

Data analysed on Wednesday showed nine ships turned around after the rebels announced the naval blockade, although some later resumed their course. Despite the threats and course changes, traffic has continued through Bab al-Mandeb.

The strait has become important for Saudi exports after passage through Hormuz became difficult. According to data from maritime tracker Kpler, Saudi seaborne crude exports through Bab al-Mandeb rose eightfold between March and mid-July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025 after the Middle East war broke out.