The Houthi forces are intensifying their attacks, and Saudi Arabia is in serious trouble! On July 23, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sareea stated that they launched multiple ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones against two Saudi oil tankers, ENCELIA and LAYLA, in the Red Sea, causing large-scale fires on both vessels. As a result, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has been fully closed to all Saudi oil tankers, forcing nearly ten other ships to abandon their routes and return.

The Houthis explicitly warned Saudi Arabia, reiterating their "blockade for blockade" strategy, and vowed to continue conducting maritime operations against Saudi Arabia. Any attack on Yemen will be met with large-scale retaliatory actions deep inside Saudi territory, including strikes targeting oil refineries. Clearly, the Houthis' attacks on Saudi oil tankers are growing increasingly aggressive. For safety reasons, Saudi Arabia has no choice but to recall its oil tankers back to port.

It's evident that the Houthis' warnings to Saudi Arabia are direct and precisely aimed at Saudi Arabia’s vulnerabilities. The message is clear: those with nothing to lose have nothing to fear. If Saudi Arabia dares to act against them, the Houthis won’t limit themselves merely to cutting off sea lanes. For Saudi Arabia, the current situation is indeed extremely troubling. Cutting off energy supply routes may only prevent oil from being shipped out.

But if the conflict escalates further, Saudi Arabia’s losses would extend beyond mere transportation disruptions—its very ability to produce energy could be compromised, which would have far greater consequences. With the United States preoccupied in the Strait of Hormuz and unable to assist in striking the Houthis or providing escort protection in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Saudi Arabia cannot rely on American support. Moreover, even U.S. escort missions have proven ineffective. Although Saudi Arabia managed to secure its oil exports via backup pipelines, it now appears that the Red Sea export route—its primary escape valve—is effectively rendered useless.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871468519771292/

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