Yahya Saree announced that Houthi rebels are imposing a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia in retaliation for a long-standing blockade.
Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, announced on Monday that the Iran-backed rebels are imposing an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. The move serves as an "eye for an eye" response to the "unjust blockade" the Saudi-led coalition has maintained on Yemen for over a decade. The embargo specifically targets the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical gateway to the Red Sea through which 12% of global trade passes. If fully closed, the disruption could reduce the global oil supply by 7%, as it would hinder the majority of Saudi oil exports. Saudi military officials, including Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, stated they intend to keep the waterway open, labeling Houthi threats as acts of maritime piracy. The escalation follows recent tensions, including Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport. While the Houthis seek to establish independent control over Yemen's airspace, the move also signals a new front in the broader conflict between Iran and the United States.