Yemen's Houthis Declare Maritime Embargo on Saudi Shipping in Red Sea

Sanaa, Yemen — Ekhbary News Agency

Yemen's Houthi movement has declared an immediate "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia, aiming to close the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait to Saudi vessels. This significant escalation, announced by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, comes in direct retaliation for what the group describes as an "unjust and oppressive siege" imposed by Saudi Arabia on Yemeni ports and airports for nearly twelve years. The Houthis assert this action is an "eye for an eye" response to the ongoing blockade.

Saudi Arabia Condemns, Vows Protection

Riyadh's foreign ministry swiftly condemned the Houthi announcement, dismissing the allegations as baseless. It affirmed that Saudi Arabia "will take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law." The Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow 32-kilometer-wide waterway connecting the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea, is for all intents and purposes a critical choke point for global shipping, particularly for oil exports from the region.

Context of Renewed Tensions and Red Sea Significance

This declaration follows a recent uptick in hostilities, marking the most significant escalation since an informal truce took hold in 2022. Last week, the Houthis launched missiles at Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, claiming it was a response to Saudi-backed Yemeni government air strikes on Sanaa's airport. The civil war, which began in 2014, has devastated Yemen, leaving over 150,000 dead and creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Red Sea's importance has grown immensely for Saudi oil shipments, especially with disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis previously targeted merchant vessels in the Red Sea following the Gaza conflict, disrupting global trade routes significantly.