CAIRO—Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said it was imposing an immediate maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia and threatened to block Saudi-linked shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns over security along one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the measure in a televised statement, describing it as an "eye for an eye" response to what the group called Saudi Arabia's long-running blockade of Yemen and a recent strike on Sanaa International Airport that the Houthis blamed on Riyadh. Houthi official Nasruddin Amer later said the Bab al-Mandeb would be closed to Saudi-linked shipping, although the group did not explain how it intended to enforce the declaration.
There was no independent confirmation that Houthi forces had physically blocked the waterway or prevented commercial vessels from transiting the strait. Maritime authorities and shipping companies continued to monitor developments as vessels assessed security risks in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia rejected the Houthi allegations of maintaining a blockade on Yemen and said it would take all necessary measures, consistent with international law, to safeguard commercial navigation. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the Saudi-led coalition was prepared to protect vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandeb and described the Houthi announcement as an escalation. Saudi officials also said hundreds of commercial ships carrying food, fuel and other goods had entered Houthi-controlled ports in recent months under existing inspection arrangements.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a strategic chokepoint for global trade and energy shipments. Analysts said any sustained disruption could force vessels to divert around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing voyage times, freight costs and insurance premiums. Saudi Arabia has relied more heavily on Red Sea export routes for crude shipments amid wider regional tensions affecting Gulf shipping.
The latest threat comes as conflict involving Iran, the United States and regional armed groups has heightened security concerns across the Middle East. The Houthis, who have previously targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, have renewed warnings against vessels they associate with Saudi Arabia.
As of July 21, no official reports had confirmed that Saudi-linked commercial shipping had been halted under the Houthi announcement, and authorities continued to monitor maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb while assessing the security situation.
