Yemen’s Houthi group has reported that six ships have turned back in the last 24 hours following their recently imposed ban on maritime navigation to Saudi Arabia. This announcement has prompted Yemen’s internationally recognized government to call for increased international action against the Houthis. According to a Houthi military source cited by the group’s Saba news agency, the vessels altered their courses after receiving warnings from Houthi forces in light of the blockade declared on Monday.
The specific identities of the vessels or their original destinations were not disclosed. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the ban on maritime navigation to Saudi Arabia took immediate effect as a response to what the group perceives as a Saudi blockade.
In a related development, Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, emphasized the need for the international community to recognize the Houthis as part of a broader regional threat network. During a meeting with Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan, Al-Alimi expressed concerns that the Houthis are attempting to involve Yemen in a larger regional conflict, aligning with the agenda of the Iranian regime, as reported by Saba news agency.
