Houthis Announce Maritime Blockade on Saudi Arabia, Warn of Further Escalation

SANAA, July 20: Yemen's Houthi group on Monday announced the immediate enforcement of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.

In a televised statement broadcast by the group's Al-Masirah TV channel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the ban on Saudi-linked maritime navigation had taken effect immediately. He warned that any further Saudi escalation would trigger what he described as a "comprehensive and severe escalation."

Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to the announcement.

The declaration follows renewed hostilities between the two sides after years of relative calm. Last week, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out an airstrike on Sanaa International Airport and retaliated by launching missiles toward Saudi territory. While Riyadh has not commented on the accusation, Yemen's internationally recognized government said it was responsible for the strike, stating it targeted the airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.