Houthis announce maritime blockade on Saudi-linked ships

Yemen's Houthi group has announced an immediate maritime blockade on shipping routes related to Saudi Arabia.

Brigadier General Yahya Sari, spokesman for the Houthi-backed Yemeni military, made the announcement in a televised statement on Monday (July 20).

In the statement, Yahya Sari said that the ban on vessels related to Saudi Arabia took effect immediately. At the same time, he warned that if Riyadh takes any steps to increase tensions militarily or diplomatically, more severe measures will be taken in response.

However, there was no immediate response from Saudi Arabia on the Houthis' announcement.

Earlier, the Houthi group had blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack on the airport in the Yemeni capital Sanaa last week. In response, they claimed to have fired several missiles targeting Saudi territory.

However, Saudi Arabia has not commented on the accusation. Meanwhile, Yemen's internationally recognized government said the attack on Sanaa airport was aimed at preventing an Iranian plane from landing.

The Houthis' new announcement is seen as a significant development amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Analysts fear that it could have an impact, especially on shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf region.

Source: Middle East Monitor