Houthis Announce Immediate Maritime Blockade Against Saudi Arabia

Yemen’s Houthi armed forces have announced an immediate maritime navigation blockade against Saudi Arabia, prohibiting Saudi vessels from passing through the Bab al-Mandab strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea. Military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree stated on Monday that the leadership had no choice but to act in response to the ongoing blockade and aggression against Yemen. Saree explained that Saudi Arabia has perpetuated an unjust blockade against the Yemeni people for nearly 12 years by restricting access to ports and airports via land, sea, and air, including the targeting of Sanaa International Airport. He asserted that this gives the Yemeni people the right to confront these actions ‘by all available means’. The decision, he said, followed calls made during massive ‘Friday of Remembrance and Mobilisation’ demonstrations, as well as tribal meetings and rallies held across the country. ‘The Yemeni Armed Forces announce the prohibition of maritime navigation for the criminal Saudi enemy, applying the principle of ’blockade for blockade’. This decision is effective immediately upon the issuance of this statement,’ Saree declared. He added that they affirm the right of their people to retaliate against the blockade and to respond to full escalation with full escalation. The Yemeni official also expressed full readiness for all possible scenarios and warned against further escalation, stating that any reckless action by the ‘foolish Saudi enemy’ would be met with a harsh and comprehensive response. The Houthi maritime blockade against Saudi vessels will completely shut down the kingdom’s sea access to the south, at a time when the Strait of Hormuz route to the east is also effectively closed due to US strikes on Iran.