MORE: At least seven vessels have changed course to avoid transiting through the Bab al Mandeb Strait in light of the Houthi blockade on Saudi ports. The Houthis imposed the blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20. Six commercial vessels altered their course away from Saudi ports on July 22, according to ship-tracking data cited by Reuters. Another oil tanker that was bound for Yanbu — Saudi Arabia’s main oil export terminal on the Red Sea — turned away from the Bab al Mandeb Strait while in the Gulf of Aden on July 22.
The European Union Naval Force warned commercial vessels with links to the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia on July 22 against sailing in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Commercial ship traffic through the Bab al Mandeb Strait continued on July 22 despite the Houthis’ threats against commercial vessels, however.
Commercially available ship tracking data from July 22 shows that 30 commercial vessels have transited through the Bab al Mandab Strait since ISW-CTP’s last data cutoff on July 21. This is a notable decrease from the 64 commercial vessels that transited the strait between 2:00 PM ET on July 20 and 2:00 PM ET on July 21, however. At least one oil tanker transporting crude oil from Yanbu, the Xin Long Yang, initially changed course on July 21 to avoid crossing the Bab al Mandeb Strait but has begun to reapproach the strait on July 22.
Houthi officials have emphasized that the Houthis will maintain their blockade on Saudi ports until Saudi Arabia lifts its blockade on Yemeni ports and airports. ISW-CTP will provide further analysis about the Houthi blockade against Saudi Arabia in its July 23 Iran Update.Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)NEW: ISW-CTP is tracking initial reports that the Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on July 22. Sources close to the Houthis previously stated that the Houthis had finished deploying missiles and drones near the Bab al Mandeb Strait to attack civilian shipping, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center on July 21. At least seven vessels have changed course to avoid transiting through the Bab al Mandeb Strait in light of the Houthi blockade on Saudi ports. (1/2)
Other Key Takeaways:
The United States has increasingly struck Iranian targets outside of southern Iran, including western and northwestern Iran. The United States also struck unspecified targets in the Parchin Military Complex near Tehran, which the Iranian regime uses to produce advanced munitions, including drones and missiles.
Hezbollah is likely alleging that Lebanese Shia are being discriminated against at the Beirut airport as part of an effort to remobilize support for the group and protect Hezbollah’s military organization.
Iran fired at US military installations in the region as part of its ongoing efforts to degrade US capabilities and willingness to continue the war, end the war in a way that maintains Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, and break the coalition between the United States and regional Arab states.— https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/2080072746495602840
