In yet another deadly escalation in West Asia with far-reaching implications for the entire world, the fight over another global waterway the Bab al-Mandeb strait, has intensified. Clashes between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and government forces have reportedly killed 120 since Thursday.


Fierce battle for Bab al-Mandeb strait kills 120, houthis seek control over Red Sea strait 

Saudi Arabia is creating an alternative oil export route through the Red Sea as security threats disrupt shipping around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The kingdom is using tankers to transport crude from its Red Sea port of Yanbu to Ain Sokhna in Egypt. From there, the oil can travel north through Egypt's SUMED pipeline to Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean coast, allowing Saudi crude to reach international markets without relying entirely on vulnerable maritime routes.

The alternative route has gained importance after Yemen's Houthi forces announced a blockade targeting vessels loaded at Yanbu.

Saudi Arabia Creates New Red Sea Oil Route As Houthi Threats Disrupt Shipping

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea oil shipments are increasingly disappearing from tracking systems as tanker operators reportedly switch off their Automatic Identification Systems amid growing fears of Houthi attacks.

The development comes as the Houthis intensify threats against Saudi-linked shipping and oil infrastructure, putting a key route for global energy supplies under mounting pressure.

Recent Houthi attacks have targeted commercial shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, while the group has also claimed attacks involving Saudi oil infrastructure, including the Yanbu oil hub and Aramco facilities in Jazan.

The disruption is making it harder for traders and energy agencies to determine how much Saudi crude is actually being shipped. Estimates of recent Yanbu loadings have reportedly varied significantly between shipping-data providers.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia appears to be moving more crude north through the Red Sea, while risks around the Suez Canal, Bab al-Mandab and Strait of Hormuz continue to complicate global energy flows.

Saudi Oil Tankers Go Dark Amid Houthi Attacks | Houthi Attacks Shake Red Sea Energy Route

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is escalating in the Black Sea, raising fresh concerns over maritime security and global trade. At the same time, tensions continue to simmer in West Asia around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, two of the world's most strategic shipping chokepoints. With multiple maritime flashpoints under pressure, fears are growing over energy supplies, commercial shipping, and regional stability.

Russia and Ukraine Escalate Black Sea War, Bab Al-Mandeb and Hormuz Tensions Continue in West Asia

The Houthi rebels are expanding their role in the West Asia conflict by targeting Saudi oil tankers and tightening their maritime blockade in the Red Sea. Yemeni authorities accuse the Iran-backed group of copying Tehran's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

With attacks on energy infrastructure, threats to global shipping, and reports that the Houthis may seek to charge vessels for safe passage, concerns are growing over the security of one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.

Houthis Copy Iran’s Strategy? Red Sea Blockade Threatens Global Shipping

Iran's&nbsp;Alborz&nbsp;warship&nbsp;has entered the Red Sea through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, Tasnim news agency reported Monday, at a time of heightened tensions over the globally important waterway.

The agency did not give specific reasons for its deployment, but noted that Iranian military vessels had operated in the area since 2009.

"The&nbsp;Alborz&nbsp;destroyer&nbsp;entered the Red Sea... by passing through the Bab al-Mandeb," waterway at the southern tip of the Red Sea, connecting with the Gulf of Aden in the Indian Ocean, the agency said.

It added that Iran's naval fleet has been operating in the area "to secure shipping lanes, repel pirates, among other purposes since 2009".

The United States in early December set up a multinational naval task force for the Red Sea following a flurry of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels on merchant vessels which led shipping companies to suspend passages through the area.

The Houthis say the attacks were in solidarity with Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, where Israel is battling Hamas militants.

According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 12 per cent of global trade passes through the Red Sea, which provides a shortcut past Africa via the Suez Canal.

On Sunday, US Navy helicopters fired on Houthi rebels attempting to board a cargo ship off Yemen, with the rebels reporting 10 fighters dead or missing.

Regional tensions have spiked since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

On Monday, Britain's Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said Britain was "willing to take direct action" against the Houthis "to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea".&nbsp;

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron had spoken on Sunday with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian about the Red Sea tensions.

"I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks," he said on social media, noting Tehran's "long-standing support" for the Houthis.

Abdollahian criticised the "double-standards" of some Western countries, according to a statement from Iran's foreign ministry, saying the "Israeli regime cannot be allowed... to set the region on fire" with the Gaza war.

The United States previously accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in the Houthi attacks.

Iran has denied such accusations saying the Houthi rebels were acting on their own.

In 2021, the&nbsp;Alborz&nbsp;repulsed a pirate attack against two oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden.&nbsp;

And in 2015, it was one of two Iranian warships sent to the strait "to ensure the safety of commercial ships" in what was seen at the time as a sign of tensions with Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Iran's Alborz warship has entered the Red Sea through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, Tasnim news agency reported Monday, at a time of heightened tensions over the globally important waterway.

Iran's Alborz warship has entered the Red Sea through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, Tasnim news agency reported Monday, at a time of heightened tensions over the globally important waterway. The agency did not give specific reasons for its deployment, but noted that Iranian military vessels had operated in the area since 2009. "The Alborz destroyer entered the Red Sea... by passing through the Bab al-Mandeb," waterway at the southern tip of the Red Sea, connecting with the Gulf of Aden in the Indian Ocean, the agency said. It added that Iran's naval fleet has been operating in the area "to secure shipping lanes, repel pirates, among other purposes since 2009". The United States in early December set up a multinational naval task force for the Red Sea following a flurry of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels on merchant vessels which led shipping companies to suspend passages through the area. The Houthis say the attacks were in solidarity with Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, where Israel is battling Hamas militants. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 12 per cent of global trade passes through the Red Sea, which provides a shortcut past Africa via the Suez Canal. On Sunday, US Navy helicopters fired on Houthi rebels attempting to board a cargo ship off Yemen, with the rebels reporting 10 fighters dead or missing. Regional tensions have spiked since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. On Monday, Britain's Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said Britain was "willing to take direct action" against the Houthis "to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea". British Foreign Secretary David Cameron had spoken on Sunday with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian about the Red Sea tensions. "I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks," he said on social media, noting Tehran's "long-standing support" for the Houthis. Abdollahian criticised the "double-standards" of some Western countries, according to a statement from Iran's foreign ministry, saying the "Israeli regime cannot be allowed... to set the region on fire" with the Gaza war. The United States previously accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in the Houthi attacks. Iran has denied such accusations saying the Houthi rebels were acting on their own. In 2021, the Alborz repulsed a pirate attack against two oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden. And in 2015, it was one of two Iranian warships sent to the strait "to ensure the safety of commercial ships" in what was seen at the time as a sign of tensions with Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s Alborz warship enters Red Sea through strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait

bab-al-mandeb

Bab Al Mandeb, News on Bab Al Mandeb, stories on Bab Al Mandeb, articles on Bab Al Mandeb, Bab Al Mandeb stories at Wion, Bab Al Mandeb news, Bab Al Mandeb latest news

bab al-mandeb

Fierce battle for Bab al-Mandeb strait kills 120, houthis seek control over Red Sea strait

Saudi Arabia Creates New Red Sea Oil Route As Houthi Threats Disrupt Shipping

Saudi Oil Tankers Go Dark Amid Houthi Attacks | Houthi Attacks Shake Red Sea Energy Route

Russia and Ukraine Escalate Black Sea War, Bab Al-Mandeb and Hormuz Tensions Continue in West Asia

Houthis Copy Iran’s Strategy? Red Sea Blockade Threatens Global Shipping

Iran’s Alborz warship enters Red Sea through strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait