The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the significance of the right of navigation in international waterways as per international law. Stressing the importance of allowing commercial shipping and navigation rights, the Ministry underlined the crucial role these rights play in global shipping, economic security, and energy security worldwide. This statement was made in response to inquiries regarding the situation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, where concerns were raised about the Houthis threatening to block ships from Saudi Arabia.
Yemen’s Houthi group clarified that they had not closed the Bab al-Mandab Strait, asserting that their maritime measures were specifically directed at Saudi-linked shipping. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the group’s chief negotiator and spokesperson, refuted claims of a complete closure of the waterway, stating that the measures were solely targeting the Saudi side. These actions were described as a response to what the group perceives as a “siege” by the Saudi-led coalition on Houthi-controlled regions and aimed at safeguarding the security, sovereignty, and independence of the Yemeni people.
In response to Riyadh’s blockade of Houthi-controlled areas, the Houthi group announced a ban on Saudi-linked shipping, citing the need to protect their territories. Recent reports indicated that the group conducted a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, named ENCELIA and LAYLA. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea confirmed the attack using ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, claiming that the vessels were targeted for violating the embargo imposed by the Houthi armed forces on ships visiting Saudi ports. The strikes allegedly resulted in fires engulfing both tankers and achieving the intended objectives.
