Saudi Oil Exports at Yanbu Port Decline 40% Following Yemeni Naval Actions

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, maritime intelligence firm Windward reported a 40% reduction in crude oil loadings at Saudi Arabia‘s Yanbu port after July 19th. This development comes in the wake of Yemeni forces targeting Saudi oil tankers. A Yemeni source informed Al Mayadeen television that three Saudi oil tankers were targeted by the country’s armed forces within the past 48 hours. The same source indicated that a total of 16 Saudi vessels have been forced to turn back since last Monday after being prevented from proceeding. According to this source, no Saudi oil tanker, either en route or returning, has successfully passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since Saudi Arabia imposed a naval blockade on Yemen. The source concluded by emphasizing that the decision to prohibit Saudi vessels from passing remains in effect, and Yemeni armed forces will not permit any Saudi ship to transit. The naval blockade by Saudi Arabia is in response to Riyadh’s blockade of Yemen.