Earlier today, the Yemeni Armed Forces reported carrying out an attack on a “strategic installation” at an airport in southern Saudi Arabia. In a swift retaliatory move last month, military forces initiated a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia’s maritime passages through the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi Arabia has taken the unusual step of steering clear of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait, an action described as “unprecedented.” The Bab el-Mandeb, a critical chokepoint for global oil and trade routes, typically sees significant maritime traffic, making the Saudi avoidance noteworthy. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has witnessed a reduction in the average daily number of vessels transiting, declining from approximately 30 to 18, marking a 22% decrease.