Houthis Declare Maritime Embargo on Saudi Arabia, Close Bab Al-Mandab Strait

The Houthi group in Yemen has announced an immediate “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia. This retaliatory measure was taken in response to a blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia on ports and airports in the north-western region of Yemen controlled by the Houthis.

Although the technical details of the embargo have not been fully detailed, a Houthi media official confirmed they are closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea, to all Saudi-owned vessels. In response to the accusations, the Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the move and vowed to take all necessary steps to protect its ships in accordance with international law.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea stated the action was a response to the repeated siege experienced by the Yemeni people. “Saudi Arabia has imposed an unjust and oppressive siege on our beloved people for nearly 12 years, plundering our resources and imposing a comprehensive blockade on our ports and airports by land, sea, and air,” Sarea asserted. He added that the decision for a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia was based on the principle of “an eye for an eye.” “Any foolish action by the Saudi enemy through any form of escalation will be met with a comprehensive and decisive escalation,” he added.

Deputy Head of the Houthi Media Office, Nasruddin Amer, reiterated via platform X that their forces have officially “closed Bab al-Mandab to enemy Saudi ships.” This escalation comes just a week after disputes between the two sides reignited following an informal ceasefire in place since 2022. The Houthis claimed to have launched missiles at Abha Airport in Saudi Arabia in retaliation for airstrikes on Sanaa Airport. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government claimed the airstrikes aimed to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing without permission.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a vital route for global oil trade, especially following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has even diverted more than 70 percent of its crude oil exports to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea to avoid other conflict flashpoints. Risk analyst Mohammed Albasha from the US-based Basha Report assessed that this threat alone is enough to trigger sharp disruptions. “Even if no ships are attacked, this announcement alone has the potential to disrupt shipping and create uncertainty for Saudi ports. Whether the Houthis will move from mere threats to direct action remains a very crucial issue,” he said.