Yemen and the Red Sea

At least five ships turn back from Bab el-Mandeb after Houthi blockade threat

This version is a correction.

MOVEMENT
Location
Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Actors
Houthis · Saudi Arabia · United States
Importance
Notable

At least five commercial vessels reversed course as they approached the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after the Houthis declared a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, signalling early shipping-risk aversion at the Red Sea gateway.

CBS reported on 21 July 2026 that AIS and market reporting showed vessels turning away from Bab el-Mandeb following the 20 July Houthi blockade announcement. President Trump said the same day that a full Red Sea blockade had not yet materialised but that the United States would “take care of that” if it did. This package records the shipping reaction, not a completed all-traffic closure of the strait.

  • Maritime: Low 5 · Best 5 vessels_turned_back · Confidence: Confirmed · Evidence: Shipping insider says "nothing is going through" the Strait of Hormuz; Bab el-Mandeb turn-backs after Houthi threat, Trump says no Red Sea blockade yet, but if Houthis try to impose one, U.S. will "take care of that" · At least five commercial vessels reversed course approaching Bab el-Mandeb after the Houthi blockade threat.

Verification: Confirmed

Evidence: Shipping insider says "nothing is going through" the Strait of Hormuz; Bab el-Mandeb turn-backs after Houthi threat, Trump says no Red Sea blockade yet, but if Houthis try to impose one, U.S. will "take care of that"