Gulf Shipping Slumps After Houthi Attack Claims Raise Security Concerns

Commercial shipping through two of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes declined sharply on Wednesday after Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for missile attacks on Saudi oil tankers, heightening concerns over the security of international trade and energy supplies in the region.

According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped dramatically, with only two commercial ships passing through the waterway, compared with eight the previous day. The figure was also significantly below the usual daily average of around 130 to 140 vessels, reflecting growing caution among shipping operators amid escalating regional tensions.

Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another critical route linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, also witnessed a steep decline. Only one commercial vessel was reported to have transited the strait, down from 20 on the previous day, indicating that shipping companies were reassessing voyage plans in response to the heightened security risks.

The disruption followed claims by the Iran-backed Houthi movement that it had launched attacks on two Saudi oil tankers. One vessel was reportedly targeted near the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu, while another was attacked in the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis said the strikes were part of what they described as a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities had not confirmed the reported attacks at the time of publication. Independent verification of the Houthis’ claims was also not immediately available. Nevertheless, the announcement was enough to trigger fresh concerns among shipping companies and insurers already dealing with an increasingly volatile security environment in the Middle East.ontinues to face multiple legal cases. PTI has consistently maintained that the charges against its leader are politically driven, while the government and investigating agencies have rejected those allegations, insisting that the legal proceedings are being conducted in accordance with the law. imposed on the party should be lifted.

India, however, distanced itself from the event, stating that the press conference had been organised privately and did not reflect the views or involvement of the Indian government. New Delhi maintained that it had no official role in facilitating the media interaction and reiterated that the event should not be interpreted as a change in its diplomatic position.

Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since leaving Bangladesh following the political upheaval in 2024. Since then, the interim administration in Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition to face multiple legal cases. India has not publicly indicated any decision regarding those requests.