- The Tehran-aligned Houthis attacked Saudi Aramco sites in Jizan and Yanbu, disrupting Red Sea shipping as they aim to blockade Saudi exports, expanding the US-Iran conflict.
- Of the vessels passing through Bab el-Mandeb, seven were oil tankers, including two VLCCs heading to Yanbu to load Saudi crude, and a Russian-linked ship.
Shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait has significantly declined following recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations. On Sunday, only eleven vessels passed through the strait, marking the lowest level in months.
The attacks, which targeted sites belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco in Jizan and Yanbu, were confirmed by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree.12
Seven of the vessels that passed through were oil tankers, with three entering the Red Sea, including two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) heading to Yanbu to load Saudi crude. The disruptions in Red Sea traffic are part of a broader strategy by the Tehran-aligned Houthis to blockade Saudi exports, further escalating the US-Iran conflict that has already strained oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz.
The shipping data from Kpler indicates that while Bab el-Mandeb traffic has been severely affected, transit through the Strait of Hormuz also remained low over the weekend. This situation raises concerns about the stability of oil supply routes in the region and the potential for further escalation in hostilities.
“The Houthis struck Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu on Saturday, aiming to blockade Saudi exports and expand the US-Iran conflict. Data showed seven oil tankers passing through Bab el-Mandeb, including two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) heading to load Saudi crude and a Russian-linked ship.”
