Yemen flare-up risks turning Red Sea into a global energy choke point

A sudden escalation in Yemen shatters a fragile four-year truce and risks expanding into the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, threatening a critical Red Sea energy artery that handles about 4.0 million barrels per day and roughly 12% of global trade. If the Strait of Hormuz is also closed, ships would have to reroute around Africa, lifting costs and potentially triggering a global energy shock, with Saudi Arabia’s bypass via Yanbu left vulnerable and analysts warning of a dangerous pincer movement in maritime security.