Two oil tankers loaded with Saudi crude for China and India made a sudden change in course in the Red Sea on Tuesday, opting to head towards the Suez Canal instead of navigating through the Yemeni coast at the sea's mouth. This decision comes after a warning from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militia.
The Houthi warning is the latest in a series of threats aimed at disrupting maritime trade in the region. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi militia, which has been a major player in the conflict in Yemen. The Suez Canal, a critical waterway for global trade, remains a vital alternative route for oil tankers and other vessels seeking to avoid potential risks in the region.