The First Two Saudi Oil Tankers Intercepted in the Red Sea

Yemen turned back two Saudi oil tankers from the high seas of the Red Sea on Tuesday, coinciding with the official start of the Saudi navigation ban.

Exclusive – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

Reuters news agency quoted sources as saying that two oil tankers loaded with Saudi crude oil turned back in the Red Sea and headed towards the Suez Canal after failing to cross Bab al-Mandab.

It is unclear whether the tankers were targeted or are attempting to avoid confrontation.

The step reveals the extent of Yemen’s success in imposing the naval blockade announced by the Yemeni forces earlier on Monday, which came into effect immediately.

Saudi Arabia exports approximately 7 million barrels of oil per day through Yanbu port. It recently announced its expansion to reach 9 million, representing the majority of Saudi oil exports.

Exports are carried out through Yanbu port, located on the eastern edges of the Red Sea.

Directing Saudi ships through the Suez Canal means extending the voyage for weeks to reach their markets in East Asia, which they used to cover in hours through Bab Al-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden.