21 July 2026
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, marking the biggest escalation between the two sides in years.
The move came a week after forces loyal to Yemen’s Saudi-backed government bombed Sana’a International Airport in an attempt to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation returning from Tehran from landing.
In a statement on Monday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree condemned what he called an “unjust and oppressive siege” of the country.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces declare a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye,’ effective immediately,” Saree said in a video posted on X.
The spokesman warned that “any foolish act” by Saudi Arabia “will be met with a comprehensive and decisive escalation.”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned “the Houthi terrorist militia” and vowed to “take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law.”
The Houthis, a Shiite movement, seized Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, during the country’s civil war in 2014. A year later, Saudi Arabia led a military intervention on behalf of the internationally recognized government.
While the Saudi-led bombing campaign was unable to dislodge the Houthis, it was condemned by the UN and human rights organizations, worsened Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and displaced millions of people.
The Houthis responded to the bombing by launching missiles and drones at targets in Saudi Arabia, including airports and energy facilities.
The announcement of the blockade comes as the Strait of Hormuz, another key maritime chokepoint, remains closed due to the ongoing US-Iran war. The US launched strikes against Iran for a tenth consecutive night on Tuesday, with both sides signaling that the truce was effectively over.
Source:RT
