Yemen's Houthi Rebels Warn Ships Using Saudi Ports Will Be Targeted

Yemen's pro-Iranian Houthi rebels, who have announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, have warned shipping companies against using Saudi ports, Reuters reported on July 21 (local time).

In an email sent to numerous global shipping companies the previous day, the Houthi rebels stated, "We prohibit the loading and unloading of cargo from ships at all Saudi ports."

The Houthis further warned that "such activities will expose the violating vessels to sanctions and, furthermore, they could become targets anywhere within the operational range of the Yemeni armed forces."

The email, sent under the name of the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) affiliated with the Houthis and based in Sanaa, Yemen, also included a statement that they "strongly advise exercising due diligence and best efforts in all transactions."

The HOCC is the organization primarily used by the Houthis to send warnings to the shipping industry while they were attacking commercial vessels during the war in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

The Houthi rebels claimed that this regulation went into effect at 12:01 p.m. GMT on July 20.

Considering the released warning, it does not appear that the Houthi rebels intend to completely block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the entrance to the Red Sea, to prevent the passage of all ships.

However, as the Houthi rebels have banned cargo loading and unloading at Saudi ports and warned that violating ships could be targeted, it is interpreted as an intention to attack all vessels using ports such as Yanbu in western Saudi Arabia for oil transport purposes.

If the Houthi rebels attack oil tankers traveling to and from Saudi Arabia in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea, it would mean the blockage of Saudi Arabia's key oil export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.

If the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is blocked, approximately 7% of the global oil supply would be reduced.

Saudi Arabia has been pushing to export crude oil by sending it to the port of Yanbu via east-west pipelines, as tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz has become difficult.

The Houthi rebels declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia the previous day.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said, "In accordance with the 'eye for an eye' principle, we declare a maritime blockade against the criminal state of Saudi Arabia, and this is effective immediately."

Spokesperson Saree emphasized that this measure is a response to Saudi Arabia's blockade of Houthi-controlled ports and airports, as well as the strike on Sanaa Airport last week, stating, "We will meet the blockade with a blockade."

During the war in the Gaza Strip in 2023, the Houthi rebels attacked over 100 ships passing through the Red Sea, claiming it was in support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

At that time, the Houthi rebels warned that they would target Israel-linked ships, but vessels with no connection to Israel were also attacked.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.