Saudi Arabian authorities have announced there is a prevalent threat to shipping in the busy Bab al-Mandab strait after a civilian vessel was destroyed by Houthi Rebels, reported Middle East Eye.
The rebels claim they ‘completely destroyed’ a military vessel, but it has been revealed by the Saudi coalition that it was a civilian ship carrying aid.
In a statement, the Saudi Coalition said: “This incident demonstrates Houthi tactics of terrorist attacks against civilian international navigation in the Bab al-Mandab.”
The Bab al-Mandab strait is an important stretch of water in the shipping world; it is a main link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean sea, using the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal.
Port Technology reported in October 2015 that military action in Yemen may pose a risk to shipping in the region, and with the war escalating it would appear shipping companies should take extra care through these routes.
In May 2015 authorities had to close some major ports in the wake of a string of military attacks by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.
