Saudi Arabia Announces It Will Protect Its Ships Against the Houthis' Maritime Blockade Threat

Saudi Arabia condemned the maritime blockade launched by the Houthis in Yemen against the Riyadh administration and announced that it will take all measures to protect its ships within the framework of international law. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Seri had accused Saudi Arabia of imposing a blockade on Yemen for 12 years and stated that they launched a maritime blockade in response.

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was noted that Saudi Arabia has been carrying out development projects and providing petroleum derivatives for years to support the Yemeni people. Furthermore, it was recorded that more than 300 ships entered the ports of Hodeidah, As-Salif, and Ra's Isa in the first half of 2026, emphasizing that the Houthis' claims are unfounded.

Saudi Arabia made counter-accusations, stating that the Houthis had previously carried out attacks targeting infrastructure and seized 4 aircraft belonging to Yemen Airways. In the statement, referencing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it was emphasized that legitimate rights would be used to protect the ships.