Houthis announce maritime ban on Saudi Arabia amid ongoing blockade dispute

The Houthis in Yemen have announced a maritime ban targeting Saudi Arabia, citing what it called an unjust siege and aggression against Yemen. The move follows a recent escalation in which the Houthis launched missiles at Saudi Arabia after strikes on Sanaa's airport.

In a statement, the Houthis said Saudi Arabia has continued what it called an "unjust and brutal siege on the Yemeni people for nearly 12 years, plundering resources and imposing a comprehensive blockade on ports, airports, and land borders." It said Saudi Arabia "exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people to an unbearable level, without any right or justification."

As a result, the Houthis announced a maritime ban on Saudi Arabia based on what it called the principle of "siege for siege," effective from the moment the statement was announced. They effectively argue that Yemen will respond to Saudi Arabia's siege with a siege of its own.

The statement also called on the Yemeni people to continue general mobilization, and to be "fully prepared for all scenarios and developments, and to support the fronts with fighters."

The announcement follows a significant escalation between the two sides, the most serious since an informal truce took effect four years ago. The Houthis said they launched missiles at Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia in response to air strikes on Sanaa's airport, which the Houthis blamed on the kingdom. Nevertheless, the strike on Sanaa's airport was claimed by Yemen's internationally recognized government, which said it targeted the runway.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed its air defenses "dealt with" the missiles and no casualties were reported.