International RelationsSecurity
News 16 of 27

Houthi Declares Naval Blockade on Saudi Arabia via Bab el-Mandeb Strait; 12% Global Trade at Risk

Intl. RelationsSecurity & DefenceEconomyEnvironmentHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
22 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:29 km width12% global trade4.1 billion barrels oil (2024)5% global oil7% Saudi oil exports risk25% combined oil & gas risk
Bodies:Houthi movementSaudi-led coalitionUS Maritime Administration
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Houthis, an Iran-aligned group controlling northern Yemen since 2014, announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia as retaliation for the Saudi-led coalition's siege on Yemen.

2.Bab el-Mandeb is only 29 km wide and sees 12% of global trade; in 2024, 4.1 billion barrels of oil passed through it (~5% of global total).

3.With both Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz now under threat, ~25% of world oil & gas could be at risk, directly impacting India's energy security and trade.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Yemen's Houthis have declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical global chokepoint used for 12% of world trade. This comes as the Strait of Hormuz is already effectively closed, threatening to cut off a quarter of global oil supply. For India, which imports ~7% of its crude from Saudi Arabia via this route, the disruption could spike oil prices and fuel inflation.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Width at Narrowest29 km
Global Trade Share12%
Oil Volume (2024)4.1 billion barrels
Oil as % of Global~5%
Saudi Oil Exports to Asia via this route7% of global supply if blocked
Impact if both straits closed~25% of world oil & gas at risk
India's Crude Import from Saudi (June)~7%

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Width at Narrowest: 29 km
  • ›Global Trade Share: 12%
  • ›Target this Data: Bab el-Mandeb width = 29 km; carries 12% of global trade; 4.1 billion barrels of oil in 2024.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Houthi movement (Iran-aligned group in Yemen); Saudi-led coalition.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: 'Maritime embargo' / naval blockade – implications under international law (though not explicitly mentioned in article, this is a static linkage).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, as mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The Houthis have controlled the Yemeni capital Sanaa since 2014 and are aligned with Iran.

2. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015.

3. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is 29 km wide at its narrowest point and carries about 5% of global trade.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

According to the article, what percentage of global trade passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

Why does the Houthi blockade threat matter for India, according to the article?

All 25 MCQs ▸
Read original article from Indian Express
You finished this topic
Practice 3 MCQs from this newsNext Article
Explore Related Topics
Intl. RelationsView Topic MCQs →Security & DefenceView Topic MCQs →EconomyView Topic MCQs →EnvironmentView Topic MCQs →
PreviousNHPC Tunnel Explosion in Sikkim Namchi: Methane Blast Kills 13 Workers in Teesta Stage VI ProjectNext Houthis Impose Naval Blockade on Saudi Vessels via Bab al-Mandeb; Risks 7% Global Oil Supply Cut
Related Current Affairs
Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Houthi Capture of Perim Island Threatens Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Saudi Oil Exports via Red Sea

Houthi forces, backed by Iran, have captured Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, especially after the Strait of Hormuz disruption. This move threatens Saudi Arabia's alternative Red Sea export route and could spike oil prices. Saudi airstrikes have retaliated, escalating the Yemen conflict.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

18th BRICS Summit, India-EU FTA, Houthi Seize Perim Island: UPSC Must-Know Topics

The 18th BRICS Summit in Delhi brings together 11 nations representing 36.8% of global GDP, with India balancing ties between West and East. Meanwhile, India-EU FTA nears completion (96% tariff elimination), and Houthi capture of Perim Island threatens Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. Exam angles: BRICS dynamics, India's strategic autonomy, maritime security, and trade pacts.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran rial hits record low at 2.02 million/USD as US prepares fresh sanctions and Strait of Hormuz blockade

Iran's rial plunged to a record low of 2.02 million per USD as the US announced new sanctions. The war with Israel and US naval blockade have devastated Iran's economy, while Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz threatens global oil supply. This is a critical geopolitical flashpoint with implications for India's energy security and global trade.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Houthis Seize Perim Island at Bab el-Mandeb Strait; Oil Prices Surge Above $100

Houthi capture of Perim Island threatens the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil and trade, especially after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. This could spike oil prices above $100, impact India's energy security, and escalate the Iran-US proxy war via Yemen.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Houthi Missile Attack on Saudi Tanker Reduces Gulf Shipping Traffic to 3 Vessels in Key Straits

The Houthi attack on a Saudi oil tanker has drastically reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, two critical chokepoints for global oil trade. This escalates tensions in the Gulf and could disrupt energy supplies, affecting India's oil imports. Exam relevance: Prelims (geography, current events) and Mains (security, energy security, India's foreign policy).

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Houthi Capture of Mokha (60 km from Bab-el-Mandeb) Threatens Saudi Oil Routes, East-West Pipeline Shut

Houthi forces seized the strategic port of Mokha (60 km from Bab-el-Mandeb Strait) on September 11, 2026, threatening Saudi Arabia's oil transit via both the Red Sea and the East-West pipeline. This escalation in Yemen's civil war has direct implications for global energy security and Iran's proxy strategy, making it a critical case study for security and international relations exams.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

US-Iran Hold First Shuttle Talks in Months; Brent Crude Below $100 Amid West Asia War

The US and Iran held their first shuttle talks in months via a Qatari mediator on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, raising hopes for progress in ending the West Asia war (Operation Epic Fury). The diplomatic opening helped keep oil prices near two-week lows with Brent crude holding below the $100-a-barrel threshold.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran-Oman Negotiate Strait of Hormuz Reopening: US Disputes Iran's Proposed 'Service Fee' on 20% Global Oil Route

Iran and Oman are negotiating a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran proposing a 'service fee' for vessels using its controlled lane. The US strongly opposes any arrangement that grants Iran control or revenue from the strategic waterway, creating a complex diplomatic standoff with direct implications for global energy security and India's oil imports.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)