Yemen’s Houthis declare naval blockade of Saudi Arabia: What to know
Yemeni group says the announcement is based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye’. Houthi leaders in Yemen have declared a naval blockade
Yemeni group says the announcement is based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye’. Houthi leaders in Yemen have declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, effective immediately. The announcement on Monday came days after the group, officially known as Ansar Allah, threatened a “siege” on the kingdom in retaliation for an attack on Sanaa International Airport last week. The action marks a new phase in the long-running war between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, which has backed Yemen’s internationally -recognised government since 2015. It also comes as the United States and Iran continue to exchange fire amid their escalating standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, which has again rattled the global energy market. Here’s what you should know What have the Houthis announced? In their statement, the Houthis said the declaration of the maritime embargo was “based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye’ and affirmed “the right of our great people to respond to the blockade with a blockade” and to “all escalation with escalation”. The group, which seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, accused Saudi leaders of imposing “an unjust and oppressive siege” for nearly 12 years, “plundering our resources and imposing a comprehensive blockade on our ports and airports by land, sea, and air”.
The Houthis also expressed “complete readiness for all options” and warned that “any foolish” Saudi act would be met with a “comprehensive and decisive” response. “We call upon the people of our great nation to continue the general mobilisation and general call to arms, and to be fully prepared for all scenarios and developments and to support the fronts with fighters.” What led to this? The announcement came days after the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for attacking Sanaa airport, despite Yemen’s internationally recognised government claiming responsibility, saying it was to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in the capital. In response to the attack, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport. The Saudi-led coalition said it successfully intercepted the salvo. That followed fighting between Houthi and government forces in Hodeidah, threatening four years of fragile calm since the signing of a temporary truce. What is the Bab al-Mandeb Strait? It was not immediately clear how the Houthis would implement the maritime blockade or whether it could signal a return to attacks on international shipping off the Yemeni coast. The Houthis disrupted global commerce when they began attacking ships around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait following the launch of Israeli attacks on Gaza in 2023.
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