Houthis Warn Saudi Vessels Against Using Red Sea, Threaten to Target Non-Compliant Ships
- 2 days ago
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PARIS, July 21, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis warned Saudi vessels against using the Red Sea, threatening to target ships that fail to comply with a maritime blockade announced by the group.
The warning was delivered in a 29-second English-language message broadcast on FM radio to vessels operating in the strategic waterway.
The message cited what the Houthis described as the continuing siege of Yemen and warned ships linked to Saudi Arabia to avoid the Red Sea.
“In case of non-compliance with the Yemeni armed forces’ decision, those ships will be in our target,” the message said.
The Houthis announced the maritime blockade on Monday, prompting condemnation from Saudi Arabia and measures by the Saudi-led coalition to protect commercial vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Greek maritime security agency Marisks described the warning as a significant escalation that extends the confrontation into the maritime domain.
The agency said vessels directly owned, operated or controlled by Saudi interests would probably be the initial targets if the Houthis attempted to enforce the blockade militarily.
The Houthis also sent an email to shipping companies warning them against loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The message said vessels conducting such operations could be targeted regardless of their location.
The Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb form a critical maritime corridor linking the Gulf of Aden with the Suez Canal and international markets in Europe and Asia.
