Yemen's Houthi group has announced it will target Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the northern Red Sea, a move that could signal a significant escalation in its attacks on maritime shipping. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated that this action is a response to Saudi Arabia's decision to divert vessels away from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical shipping chokepoint.

Last month, the group indicated it would begin targeting Saudi vessels as retaliation for what it describes as a blockade on Yemeni ports. This development introduces new risks to the global energy market. Simultaneously, the ongoing US-Iran conflict has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Saudi Arabia depends on its Red Sea port of Yanbu to sustain its oil exports.

Since announcing the campaign, the Houthis have attacked several vessels, though the actual damage inflicted so far has been relatively limited. On Tuesday, Saudi Aramco stated that the Houthi blockade has not yet affected the country's oil export volumes, and Saudi Arabia is studying contingency plans to ensure a continuous and uninterrupted supply of crude oil.