Bab el-Mandeb Strait: Chinese tankers safely evacuated Saudi Arabia’s 4 million barrel oil consignment amid Houthi blockade

Two large Chinese oil tankers amid tension in the Bab al-Mandab Strait near the Red Sea Xin Long Yang And Cosnew Lake Have passed safely. in these ships saudi arabia close to 40 lakh barrels was loaded with crude oil, which 23 July 2026 to complete his journey. The incident occurred after the Houthi rebels threatened to impose a total blockade of oil ships coming to or from Saudi Arabia.

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Houthi threat and impact on Saudi ships

Yemen’s Houthi rebel group 20 July 2026 It was announced that any ship connected to Saudi ports would be targeted. after this threat 21 to 22 July Many Saudi ships had to change their course or turn back. The Houthis 23 July To Encelia And Layla Also claimed drone and missile attacks on two Saudi tankers named. Saudi Arabia’s official news agency SPA by Encelia Confirmed the attack and said that the ship had caught fire, but all the crew escaped safely.

‘Free pass’ to Chinese ships

Shipping data shows that Unipec Chartered by and Cosco Shipping The Houthis did not cause any damage to these Chinese ships managed by. Marine Analysis Firm windward believes that the Houthi rebels may be giving a kind of exemption to Chinese ships to leave the area.

Saudi Arabia and international reaction

from saudi arabia Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki Has termed the Houthi attacks as piracy and has spoken of taking strict action. President of America Donald Trump also 21st July Had indicated that if the blockade continued, the US would take strict action on it. Also, the United Nations OCHA It has warned that this violence is having a negative impact on trade and could deepen the crisis of humanitarian needs in the region.