Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for an attack on two Saudi oil tankers, the ENCELA and the LAYLIA, as they transited the Red Sea. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the strikes were executed using a combination of drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in an onboard fire that the crew worked to extinguish.
The Strategic Impact of the Bab al-Mandeb Chokepoint
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital artery for global energy markets, separating Yemen from Djibouti and Eritrea. At its narrowest point, the strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide. Data from 2024 indicates that approximately 4.1 billion barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products moved through this passage, accounting for roughly 5 percent of the global total.
The threat to this route is compounded by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained largely shuttered since the escalation of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran in early 2026. If the Houthi-led blockade successfully closes the Bab al-Mandeb, analysts estimate that 25 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply could be cut off from international markets.
Did you know?
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a primary transit point for vessels traveling to and from the Suez Canal. Because the strait is so narrow, traffic is restricted to only two primary channels, making it highly susceptible to disruption from regional military activity.
Houthi Maritime Embargo and Regional Tensions
The recent attacks follow a formal declaration of a maritime blockade against Saudi vessels issued by the Houthi leadership on July 20. Houthi officials described the measure as an “eye for an eye” response to what they termed an “unjust and oppressive siege” imposed on Yemen for the last 12 years. The group alleges that this siege has allowed for the plundering of Yemeni resources and the restriction of access to ports and airports.
Riyadh has consistently denied these allegations. Critics of the Houthis note that the group previously declined a proposal from Jordan intended to restore flight paths between Amman and the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The current escalation marks a significant increase in hostilities, following a period of heightened tension that included the Yemeni government’s bombing of the Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.
Shipping Disruptions and Alternative Routes
Since the onset of the US-Israel war on Iran, Saudi Arabia has sought to divert oil exports through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to bypass the blocked Strait of Hormuz. The current Houthi campaign directly targets these alternative logistics chains.
Beyond the two tankers explicitly targeted, Saree claimed that Houthi forces had forced nearly ten other vessels to abandon their planned routes and retreat. While Saudi Arabia has not issued a formal response to the claims regarding the ENCELA and LAYLIA, the UKMTO continues to monitor the region for further security incidents. The previous wave of Houthi maritime attacks, which began in October 2023, caused significant disruptions to global commerce until a temporary ceasefire in Gaza was established in October 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are the Houthis targeting Saudi oil tankers? The Houthi leadership claims the attacks are a retaliatory measure for a long-standing blockade on Yemeni ports and airports.
- How much of the world’s oil passes through the Bab al-Mandeb? Approximately 5 percent of the global supply of crude oil and refined petroleum products transits this strait.
- What is the status of the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to normal traffic since the start of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran in early 2026.
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