DID Press: Yemen’s Sanaa-based authorities have announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, saying the move is intended to halt Saudi oil exports after regional and international mediation efforts failed to revive the stalled peace process.
According to a statement by Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Sanaa-based armed forces, Saudi vessels will be barred from entering or leaving the ports of Jeddah and Yanbu, while Saudi shipping will also be prevented from transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He described the measure as part of a strategy of “blockade for blockade,” arguing that Yemen has the right to respond to what it considers an ongoing blockade and military aggression.
Saree warned that any further escalation by Saudi Arabia would be met with what he described as a strong and comprehensive response. He also said Sanaa’s naval forces had reinforced positions on several strategic islands, including Zuqar Island, to monitor maritime traffic.
The announcement followed unsuccessful mediation efforts by Oman, Qatar, and the United Nations. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg recently held talks in Riyadh and Muscat, but no agreement was reached on key demands put forward by the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah), including payment of public-sector salaries, lifting the air and sea blockade, reopening roads, exchanging prisoners, the withdrawal of foreign forces, and compensation for war-related losses.
Mohammed Abdulsalam, head of the Sanaa negotiating delegation, described the maritime blockade as a “natural and legitimate response” to what he called Saudi Arabia’s failure to honor its commitments, saying the measure was intended to pressure Riyadh into lifting restrictions on Yemen and addressing the country’s humanitarian situation.
Meanwhile, Hizam al-Asad, a member of the Houthi political bureau, said Sanaa’s objective is to reduce Saudi oil exports to zero under its “blockade for blockade” strategy. He blamed Saudi Arabia and the United States for any consequences the move may have on global energy markets.
Regional analysts warn that any sustained disruption to Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea could have significant implications for both Saudi Arabia’s economy and global energy supplies, given the strategic importance of the kingdom’s western export terminals.