Houthis Threaten to Attack Ships Docking at Saudi Ports

The Yemen-based Houthi group has issued a warning to shipping companies not to load or unload cargo at Saudi Arabian ports, or their vessels will become targets for attack. The latest warning from the Houthis, as reported by Reuters on Wednesday (22/7/2026), was conveyed in an email sent to the relevant shipping companies. This warning came after the Houthis, on Monday (20/7), announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. The move opens a potential new front as the United States is in conflict with Iran, and heightens threats to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf region. “Vessels are prohibited from loading or unloading cargo at or from any ports in Saudi,” read the Houthi email dated 20 July, which was received by several shipping companies. “We strongly advise your company to exercise due diligence and extreme caution in all its activities,” added the email sent by the Houthi Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre (HOCC), based in Sanaa, Yemen. The new provisions, according to the email sent by the Houthis, took effect on Monday (22 July), at approximately 12:01 GMT. “Any such activity will subject the violating vessels to sanctions,” the Houthis stressed in the email. “Furthermore, they may be targeted at any location within the operational reach of the Yemeni Armed Forces,” the Houthis warned, referring to their military forces as the “Yemeni Armed Forces”. The Houthi move to impose a naval blockade effectively closes the southern gateway to the Red Sea, eliminating a crucial alternative route for Saudi Arabia besides the Strait of Hormuz, and exacerbating fears of supply shortages. Shipping traffic in the Red Sea has not fully recovered since the Houthis launched a series of attacks off the coast of Yemen in November 2023, which they claimed at the time were in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli assault in the Gaza Strip. Saudi authorities have strongly condemned the Houthis’ declaration of a naval blockade, and have vowed to take “all necessary measures” to protect their vessels.