Armed men patrol Bab el-Mandeb Strait amid Houthi blockade and attacks

A video released by Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya on Thursday, February 23, shows armed men patrolling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The footage begins with a burning vessel, followed by a speedboat with a man operating a machine gun, and concludes with nearly deserted waters. On Monday, February 20, the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, leading vessels to avoid the strait, which is the second most crucial route for Middle Eastern oil exports. On Wednesday, February 22, the Iran-aligned Yemeni extremist group claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers, stating the vessels violated their imposed naval blockade. This marks the first attack since the blockade was announced. The Houthis have threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the region to the Gulf of Aden. Approximately 9% of global oil trade passes through this vital waterway. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident involving a tanker about 130 km off the Saudi coast, noting a fire but no injuries, without attributing blame. Saudi Arabia later confirmed an attack on a vessel in the Red Sea. The conflict, with Houthis controlling northern and western Yemen, has opened a potential new front as they support Iran. The strait, known as the "Gate of Tears," links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, with millions of barrels of Saudi oil passing daily to Asian and European markets. This route has become an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has been severely disrupted. The EU has warned that ships linked to Israel, the US, or Saudi Arabia face increased risk, advising avoidance of the region. Former US President Trump previously stated that the Houthis had not yet closed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and threatened action if they did.