Yemeni Houthis have declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia

The Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi group announced the immediate imposition of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and warned that it was prepared for a large-scale escalation. This was reported on a Telegram channel by Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sari. 

The group explained its move as a “blockade in response to a blockade,” calling the decision a reaction to years of restrictions on the operation of Yemeni ports, airports, and land routes by Riyadh, which have led to a severe humanitarian crisis.

The statement emphasizes that the measures took effect immediately after the announcement was made public, and that the strike on Sana’a International Airport served as the trigger for this latest round of tensions. Houthi representatives called on their supporters to continue the general mobilization and stated that in the event of new military actions by Riyadh, they would respond with a “comprehensive and severe escalation.” This latest escalation occurred against the backdrop of a sharp rise in tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East.

Source: a statement on Telegram by a spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces.

Iran has asked the Yemeni Houthis to be prepared to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the U.S. strikes Iranian energy infrastructure. If this scenario were to unfold, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes leading to the Suez Canal could be threatened.