Yahya Saree announced that Houthi rebels have imposed an immediate 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 kingdom's decade-long blockade of Yemen and a recent Saudi airstrike on Sanaa International Airport. The embargo specifically targets the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical maritime chokepoint where approximately 12% of global trade passes. While the Houthis expressed readiness for a "comprehensive and decisive" escalation, Saudi military officials stated they would keep the waterway open, viewing Houthi threats as acts of maritime piracy. The announcement comes as global shipping faces pressure from the ongoing U.S.-Iran war, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. By threatening the Bab al-Mandeb strait, the Houthis risk disrupting 25% of the world's oil and gas supply. The administration noted that while the Strait of Hormuz remains under U.S. military protection, the new Houthi embargo could significantly increase shipping costs by forcing vessels to route around the Cape of Good Hope.