Blockade for blockade: How does the Yemeni naval embargo threaten the Saudi economy?

The “siege for siege” equation has entered the implementation phase with the announcement by the Yemeni armed forces of a maritime ban on the Saudi enemy, in a shift that confirms Yemen’s transition from a policy of strategic patience to imposing new deterrence equations, after nearly twelve years of siege and aggression and the exhaustion of all opportunities for peace.

The decision comes at a very sensitive time for Saudi Arabia, which has become increasingly dependent on Red Sea ports for its oil exports and trade, meaning that any disruption to shipping through Bab al-Mandab would have direct economic repercussions on one of the most important arteries of the Saudi economy.

The Red Sea: Saudi Arabia’s oil artery to the world
Over the past few months, the Red Sea has gained exceptional importance for Saudi Arabia, especially after the disturbances in the Strait of Hormuz, as the ports of the west coast, most notably the port of Yanbu, have become the main outlet for crude oil and petroleum product exports.

Data reported by Bloomberg showed that crude exports from Yanbu port reached a record high of 4.19 million barrels per day in June, after the majority of Saudi exports were diverted to the Red Sea.

Aramco also increased pumping through the East-West pipeline to its maximum capacity of 7 million barrels per day, with the aim of ensuring the continued flow of oil to the port of Yanbu and overcoming the risks associated with the Strait of Hormuz.

This means that the Saudi west coast is no longer just an alternative route, but has become one of the most important strategic outlets on which the Saudi economy depends for exporting oil to global markets.

Bab al-Mandab: The new pressure point
International organizations specializing in tracking shipping, including Kpler, believe that any disruption to navigation through Bab al-Mandab will have direct repercussions on the movement of Saudi oil exports.

The company estimates that disrupting traffic through the strait will force tankers bound for Asian markets to take longer sea routes through the Suez Canal and then around the Cape of Good Hope, doubling travel times and increasing transportation, insurance, and fuel consumption costs.

Reuters also reported estimates that any complete closure of Bab al-Mandab could reduce global oil supplies by about 7%, given that a large part of Saudi oil exports depend on this sea lane.

Field data indicates that Yemeni operations during past confrontations succeeded in disrupting more than 70% of the movement of ships linked to the enemies through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, making this sea passage one of the most prominent pressure areas in the confrontation.

With the Yemeni armed forces announcing a maritime ban on the Saudi enemy, the repercussions of the decision extend to Saudi ports overlooking the Red Sea, most notably Jizan port and King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, which represents one of the most important centers for exporting crude oil and petroleum derivatives.

Saudi trade faces increasing challenges
Marine insurance markets estimate that escalating security risks could raise insurance costs for ships heading to Saudi ports by more than 300%, which would increase transportation costs and affect trade and supply chains.

Jeddah Islamic Port accounted for 22.1% of Saudi Arabia’s imports during 2025, while 11.7% of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports passed through it, reflecting the importance of Red Sea ports to the Saudi economy. Any disruption to this route means higher shipping costs and longer delivery times for goods, which could affect trade and supply chains.

From patience to imposing deterrence
The Yemeni Armed Forces confirmed that the decision to ban maritime navigation came after many years of a blockade imposed on Yemen by land, sea and air, accompanied by the targeting of airports and ports and the looting of national wealth, stressing that the equation of “blockade for blockade” represents a legitimate right in the face of the ongoing blockade.

The statement explained that the decision came in response to the popular will expressed by the millions of people, stressing that the continuation of the siege will be met with a similar escalation, and that the armed forces are fully prepared to deal with various scenarios.

The blockade is no longer without cost
Recent developments reveal that the equations of confrontation have entered a different phase, in which the blockade imposed on Yemen is no longer cost-free for the party imposing it.

With Saudi Arabia’s growing reliance on Red Sea ports for oil exports and managing a large part of its trade, the “blockade for blockade” equation confirms that the era of free blockades is over, and that the continuation