Houthi fighters

Houthi fighters, identified as an Iranian-backed militia from Yemen, have recently escalated attacks on oil tankers. These assaults are primarily targeting shipping lanes in the Red Sea, including an alternative route previously used by Saudi Arabian oil shipments. Analysts suggest the threat to oil tankers in the region is currently at its worst since the start of the Iran war. In response to these actions, Saudi Arabia and 13 other nations have announced the formation of a maritime military coalition. This alliance aims to protect freedom of navigation through critical waterways such as the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi militia has also declared a blockade on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. These developments highlight the significant disruption and heightened risks to international maritime trade and energy security posed by the Houthi actions.