Saudi Arabia Rejects Houthi Blockade Claims, Vows Red Sea Protection and Yemen Support
Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned claims by the Houthi militia that the Iranian-backed group had imposed a maritime blockade on the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen announced that the coalition has begun implementing measures to protect its vessels transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Invalidating Houthi Claims
The Big Picture: The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday slamming allegations made by the so-called military spokesperson of the Houthi militia, in which he accused Saudi Arabia of besieging the Yemeni people and claimed to have imposed a maritime blockade on the Kingdom.
The Proof: The statement outlined Saudi Arabia’s steady support for Yemen’s legitimate government to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. This has included sustained development projects, state budget support, and essential fuel deliveries for power generation in Yemen.
Additionally, the first half of 2026 saw more than 300 ships deliver food, fuel, and construction materials to the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa in northern Yemen.
Backstory: The Houthis announced they were imposing a “maritime embargo” on the Kingdom, claiming they would prevent its vessels from transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait – the southern gateway to the Red Sea. This followed a recent escalation when the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the runway at Sanaa Airport to prevent an unauthorized Iranian aircraft from landing on July 13. The Iranian-backed militia alleged that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the strike, declaring an end to their “de-escalation phase” with the Kingdom and launching ballistic missiles towards its southern regions, all of which were successfully intercepted by Saudi air defenses.
Houthi Destabilizing Behavior
State of Play: The Saudi Foreign Ministry’s statement highlighted the destabilizing actions of the Houthi militias against the Yemeni people and infrastructure, including the attack on Aden Airport on December 30, 2020, the targeting of oil export ports in southern Yemen on October 21, 2022, the attacks aimed at crippling the government’s ability to sell oil, and the seizure of four aircraft belonging to Yemenia Airways.
Furthermore, the Houthis dragged Yemen into the regional conflict, targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, and rejected all initiatives to resume flights from Sanaa Airport, including the recent initiative by Jordan. All of these have exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people and worsened the economic situation, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas.
The Context: Saudi Arabia has supported the UN’s efforts to achieve peace in Yemen over the past years, including the roadmap accepted by the Yemeni government, while the Houthi militia refrained from announcing its acceptance and instead engaged in the regional conflict in support of its sinister agenda and objectives.
“The militia is now attempting to deflect responsibility for the economic challenges and growing public discontent it faces by fabricating false accusations against the Kingdom,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.
Saudi Arabia’s Firm Position
The Kingdom reiterated its continued support for the Yemeni people and the legitimate government of Yemen, calling on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, primarily Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
The Pivot: Saudi Arabia stressed that it would take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Commitment to Red Sea Security
The official spokesperson for the Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, echoed a similar position, rebutting the Houthi blockade narrative and noting that the coalition has begun implementing measures to protect its vessels transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Between the Lines: In light of the recent regional escalation that has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia has adopted a package of proactive measures by its maritime and logistics ecosystem to ensure operational continuity and maintain the stability of global energy markets. These initiatives include activating alternative routes, boosting transit services, and maintaining uninterrupted shipping line bookings.
What He Said: “The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has initiated the implementation of protection measures for Coalition vessels transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. All Houthi threats against transiting vessels will be dealt with swiftly and firmly, as such threats are a blatant violation of international law and fall under acts of maritime piracy,” Al-Maliki said.
