Egypt Condemns Houthi Naval Blockade Declaration, Warns Over Red Sea Shipping

Egypt's Foreign Ministry has condemned the Houthi movement's declaration of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that puts the shipping lane at the southern end of the Red Sea back in question.

The Houthis announced the blockade on Monday, 20 July, saying it took effect immediately and invoking a right to "respond to the blockade with a blockade" on an "eye for an eye" basis, in answer to what they call a siege imposed on Yemen, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet reported it was not immediately clear how the group would enforce it.

Egypt's statement, issued the following day, called the threats an irresponsible escalation that undermines regional stability and warned they endanger the safety of maritime navigation, international trade and vital waterways, Daily News Egypt reported. The ministry described the move as a blatant violation of international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant Security Council resolutions, and expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea's southern gateway, is 29km wide at its narrowest point. Al Jazeera reported that about 4.1 billion barrels of crude and refined products passed through the strait in 2024, roughly 5 percent of global supply, with current volumes running at some 7.4 million barrels a day. With the Strait of Hormuz closed since late February, closing Bab al-Mandab as well could block a quarter of the world's oil and gas supply, the outlet said.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned the announcement and said it would take "all necessary measures" to protect its ships, according to Al Jazeera, which reported Brent crude trading at $89.70 a barrel early on Tuesday.

Daily News Egypt reported that a full closure of the strait would halt Saudi oil exports to Asia and could cut global oil supply by 7 percent.