Houthis seize Red Sea shoreline as Saudi oil line halts after drone strike

Yemeni Houthi fighters have taken control of a portion of the Red Sea coast in Yemen, prompting Saudi Arabia to suspend operations on a major crude pipeline that moves oil to its Red Sea export hub, Al Jazeera reported. The rebels announced the seizure early on Sunday, and within hours Saudi officials ordered the pipeline shut down after a drone strike damaged a critical section.

The pipeline, which links Saudi oil fields to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, is a vital artery for the kingdom’s export capacity. Its temporary shutdown is expected to curb the daily flow of several hundred thousand barrels, a development that could tighten global oil supplies. Saudi authorities have not disclosed the exact length of the outage, but the move underscores the growing vulnerability of energy infrastructure to aerial attacks.

The Red Sea is a strategic corridor for international shipping, handling a significant share of the world’s oil and container traffic. Disruptions along its coast raise concerns for maritime security firms and insurers, who have already warned of higher freight rates and rerouting costs. Analysts note that any prolonged interruption could ripple through global markets, especially as demand remains robust amid a recovering world economy.

The Houthis have been locked in a civil war with the Saudi‑backed Yemeni government since 2015, and over the past few years they have expanded their arsenal to include drones and precision missiles. Their recent escalation follows a series of attacks on commercial vessels, a campaign the group says is in solidarity with the Palestinian cause and aimed at pressuring Gulf states perceived as supporting Israel. The Red Sea coast has become a focal point because control there offers the rebels a launchpad for further strikes on shipping lanes.

International observers, including the United Nations, have called for an immediate de‑escalation and urged all parties to protect civilian infrastructure. While diplomatic channels remain open, the incident adds pressure on Saudi Arabia to bolster its defensive measures and on global oil traders to reassess supply risk. The situation will be monitored closely as both sides assess the next steps.