Houthis vow to continue attacks on Saudi ships and military sites

SANAA, Aug 11: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has defended its recent attacks on Saudi-linked ships, saying the operations were carried out in response to what it described as Saudi military attacks and economic pressure against Yemen.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator, said the group’s attacks were a response to Saudi actions against Yemen, particularly a July 13 strike on Sanaa airport. He accused Riyadh of escalating pressure on Yemen despite the Houthis having previously refrained from attacking Saudi Arabia for several years.

Abdul-Salam said the Houthis had observed a period of calm and had not attacked Saudi Arabia for four years, but claimed that Riyadh used the period to increase economic pressure on Yemen rather than pursue a lasting political settlement.

According to Abdul-Salam, the latest operations against Saudi-linked maritime targets were therefore presented by the Houthis as retaliatory actions rather than unprovoked attacks. The Houthi leadership has repeatedly framed its military operations as responses to what it describes as aggression against Yemen.

The Houthi official also said the group remained open to negotiations, but accused Saudi Arabia of rejecting dialogue while preparing for possible further military action.

His comments come amid continued tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, despite years of efforts to reduce hostilities and reach a political settlement to Yemen’s conflict.

The Houthis, who control Sanaa and large parts of northern and western Yemen, have previously used missile and drone attacks against regional targets as part of their military campaign. Saudi Arabia has in turn been involved in military operations in Yemen and has supported the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

The latest Houthi statement signals that the group views the recent escalation as part of a broader confrontation with Saudi Arabia and suggests that further military action could continue if the movement believes attacks against Yemen or economic pressure persist.

At the same time, Abdul-Salam’s statement that the Houthis remain open to negotiations leaves the door open for renewed diplomatic efforts, although his accusations against Riyadh indicate that significant differences remain between the two sides.