Yemen's Houthis declare maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia amid escalation

Yemen's Houthi rebels announced an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Monday, escalating tensions after a recent drone attack on Sanaa airport. The rebels, who control parts of Yemen and are backed by Iran, stated the embargo is a direct response to Saudi actions, invoking an "eye for an eye" principle.

The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, declared the embargo "against the criminal Saudi enemy" in a statement. He cited Saudi Arabia's nearly twelve-year "unjust and oppressive siege" of Yemen, accusing Riyadh of looting resources and imposing a total blockade on Yemeni ports and airports. The rebels warned that any "senseless act" by Saudi Arabia would be met with a "comprehensive and decisive escalation."

“

a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of an eye for an eye, with immediate effect after the publication of this declaration

This announcement follows a dispute over air access to Houthi-controlled areas. The Yemeni army recently bombed Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from landing. The Houthis attributed this attack to Saudi Arabia and retaliated with projectiles aimed at the Saudi monarchy.

“

The criminal Saudi enemy continues its unjust and oppressive siege against our dear people for almost twelve years, looting our resources and imposing a total blockade on our ports and airports by land, sea, and air

Houthi officials also accuse Riyadh of tightening the air blockade and restricting maritime imports through the Red Sea port of Al Hudeida, a vital entry point for humanitarian aid into rebel-held territories. However, the Yemeni government claims the Houthis use the port and airport to acquire weapons, primarily from Iran.

The ongoing conflict, which began in 2014, has led to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. A UN-brokered truce that began in April 2022 significantly reduced large-scale fighting, but its formal expiration later that year has raised concerns about the fragile military balance in Yemen.

“

any "senseless act" by Saudi Arabia "will be responded to with a comprehensive and decisive escalation"