According to a report by Reuters on July 20th, a spokesman for the Houthi armed forces in Yemen announced during a televised speech that they would immediately impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi militia stated that this blockade is a response to Saudi Arabia's continuous "unjust oppressive siege over our beloved people for nearly 12 years, the seizure of our resources, and the comprehensive blockade of our ports and airports through land, sea, and air means."
The Houthi faction will implement a maritime shipping ban against Saudi Arabia, following the principle of 'an eye for an eye'. This measure will take effect from the moment the declaration is issued.
The statement indicates that the Houthi movement has the right to take measures in response to the blockade. If Saudi Arabia further escalates the situation, the Houthi movement will respond with “comprehensive and severe” measures.
Reuters previously quoted sources as saying that Iran informed Houthi forces that if the United States attacked Iran's power grid, Houthi forces would block the Hormuz Strait.
The Houthi militia controls territory in Yemen adjacent to the crucial Strait of Mandeb. This strait connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, serving as a "gateway" that links the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Indian Ocean. It is known as the "water corridor" that connects the three continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Approximately 15% of global maritime trade must pass through the Red Sea route.
After shipping was blocked in the Hormuz Strait, the Cape of Good Hope has become an alternative route for Saudi crude oil exports. Foreign media analysis suggests that this decision by the Houthi rebels could bring new pressure to Saudi Arabia.
On July 13th, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government claimed that it had carried out precise strikes on the runway at Sana’a International Airport, which is under control of the Houthi movement. The Yemeni government stated that this move was aimed at preventing Iranian Mahan Airlines aircraft from landing in Houthi-controlled areas without permission. The Houthi movement accused Saudi Arabia of being behind this attack and subsequently launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi territory as retaliation.
This is the first time since March 2022, when the Houthi militant group attacked Saudi energy infrastructure and an informal ceasefire was reached between the two sides, that the Houthi militants have claimed to have carried out attacks against Saudi Arabia.
