I’ve been meaning to mention this a couple of days ago, but life is busy and my attention is more on Campaign Updates – although I could argue that this action, previously threatened, will impact the upcoming American midterms.
A declared blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has the potential to widen the Iran war and further disrupt global oil supplies and international trade.
The rebels say they have closed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for the kingdom’s blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on the international airport in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa. The Houthis claim to have forced six ships to reroute on Tuesday, but there was no independent confirmation. [WaPo]
Can the Houthis close that strait? I don’t know. I suspect a lot of goods will become more expensive as shipping risk estimates go up.
