Houthis say they prevented 48 Saudi oil vessels from passing and targeted 8 since July 20
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree says the group has imposed three “equations”: what he called a blockade in response to a blockade, strikes on Saudi military buildups wherever they are located, and the defence of Yemen’s sovereignty.
Saree said that since announcing a ban on Saudi maritime navigation on July 20, Houthi forces had targeted eight Saudi oil vessels — five in the Red Sea and three in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea.
He claimed the group had also prevented 48 Saudi oil vessels from passing and forced them to turn back, including 34 in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean and 14 in the Red Sea.
Saree said the Houthis had carried out nine military operations targeting Yanbu, Najran, Jizan, Abha and oil supplies in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, as well as 14 operations against what he described as Saudi military buildups in al-Ruwaik, al-Abr, al-Wadiah, Marib and al-Makha.
He warned Saudi Arabia against further escalation, saying: “Any comprehensive escalation will be met with comprehensive escalation.”
Saree said Riyadh’s only option was to lift the blockade, end what he called an aggression, pay salaries, withdraw foreign forces and leave Yemen’s resources to the Yemeni people.
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Houthis planning to seize Bab al-Mandeb Strait: Yemeni minister
The information minister of Yemen’s internationally recognised government has warned that Iran-backed Houthi rebels are planning to seize the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea.
“The Houthi militia … is working to create the conditions for seizing control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait by expanding its presence along the western coast and attempting to control strategic Yemeni islands in the Red Sea,” Moammar al-Eryani told the AFP news agency.
Al-Eryani said there had been a military buildup by the Houthis and that their plans had been illustrated by “repeated targeting of ports, docks, civilian infrastructure, ships and government naval capabilities”.
The Houthis currently do not control coastal areas directly on the strait, but they hold the port of Hodeidah to the north of it.
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Saudi Arabia says maritime security remains top priority, calls for Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb reopening
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud says the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and all naval lanes must be kept open and safe during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, according to the Saudi Gazette.
Faisal said maritime security is at the forefront of common priorities between the two countries.
“The kingdom continues its efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the resurgence of conflicts by focusing on comprehensive and sustainable diplomatic solutions that address the sources of instability in our region,” he said.
“We affirm that diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful means remain our priorities, and we appreciate Japan’s role in supporting the principles of international law, its humanitarian and developmental contributions, and its stances in support of stability and peaceful solutions,” Faisal added.
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