Houthis declare maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia

The Houthi movement announced that an embargo will take effect immediately, stating it is a direct response to the Saudi-led coalition’s blockade of Yemen’s ports and airports. The declaration was made in a statement released by the group’s political bureau, which framed the measure as a reciprocal action to counter what it described as an unlawful restriction on the country’s maritime and air access.

According to the Houthis, the embargo targets goods and services entering the territories under their control and is intended to pressure Saudi Arabia to lift the blockade that has limited commercial shipping and humanitarian deliveries. The move comes amid ongoing hostilities between the Houthi forces and the Saudi-led coalition, which have disrupted trade routes and strained the already fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen. International observers noted that the embargo could further complicate efforts to deliver aid and may heighten regional tensions.