SANAA, Yemen: The Houthi movement declared an immediate Houthi maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, but did not explain how it would enforce the measure.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the embargo in a televised address. He described it as an “eye for an eye” response to restrictions on Yemen’s airports and ports.
The declaration followed the first exchange of attacks between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi Arabia since an informal truce took effect in March 2022, according to Reuters.
The Houthis launched missiles towards Saudi Arabia after accusing Riyadh of responsibility for an attack on Sanaa International Airport.
🚨 Breaking | The Yemeni Armed Forces:
We announce, effective immediately, a ban on maritime navigation for the Saudi enemy under the equation: "Blockade for Blockade."
The maritime ban takes effect immediately.
The Saudi enemy's blockade on Yemen has continued for nearly 12… pic.twitter.com/xMolHNjses
— Global Insight Journal (@GlobalIJournal) July 20, 2026The group also said it targeted Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Yemen’s internationally recognised government claimed responsibility for striking Sanaa airport’s runway.
Read: Hormuz Shipping Traffic Halves as US-Iran Strikes Grow
It said the operation was intended to prevent an aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from Iran from landing. The Houthis maintained that Saudi Arabia orchestrated the attack.
Neither Saree nor the Houthi statement identified which Saudi vessels, ports or shipping routes would be subject to the blockade. Saudi authorities had not immediately responded to the declaration.
The threat could affect Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea. The kingdom’s East-West Pipeline carries crude to the port of Yanbu, providing an alternative to routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis attacked more than 100 vessels during their earlier campaign linked to the Gaza war, according to the Associated Press. No attack enforcing the new Saudi blockade had been independently confirmed at the time of publication.
