Saudi oil exports under threat from Houthis

Yemen's Houthi rebels' threat to block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait has raised concerns, putting global energy markets on edge.

Analysts say the closure of the vital waterway could severely disrupt Saudi oil exports, sending global oil prices soaring.

Michael Stephens, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a British think tank, said it would not be easy to secure the Bab al-Mandeb Strait completely through military strikes.

Stephens said that if the strait could have been easily opened by bombing, the current deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz would not have existed. Bab al-Mandeb is now even more insecure.

According to analysts, if the blockade announced by the Houthis is implemented, the oil export route from Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline through the port of Yanbu could be practically closed. As a result, the supply system of one of the world's largest oil producers will be severely damaged.

In this situation, it is expected that Western and Asian countries that depend on Saudi oil may be more active in dealing with the situation.

Stephens warned that if Donald Trump wants to see oil prices at $70 per barrel, it is not possible in the current situation.

After the US-Israeli and Iran conflicts that began in February, many countries have used up a large part of their strategic oil reserves. As a result, a new supply crisis could put the global economy under greater pressure.