Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Monday a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabian shipping, stating they intend to block the Bab al-Mandab strait to the kingdom's vessels. The group, which is backed by Iran, characterized the move as a retaliatory measure following recent developments in the regional conflict.
The Houthis stated that the embargo is a direct response to a blockade currently imposed on Yemen. They also cited a recent military strike on Sanaa International Airport as a reason for the escalation. The Bab al-Mandab strait is a critical transit point for global energy shipments, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners have not yet issued a formal response to the Houthi declaration. The announcement follows a period of heightened tensions and ongoing military exchanges between the Houthi movement and the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015.