🇾🇪❌🇸🇦 — Via its official media, the Iran-aligned Houthi terrorists in North Yemen announced maritime embargo against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in retaliation to what they called as a "12‑year‑long siege and aggression against Yemen", risking to put the Red Sea shipping lanes into a halt
➡️ The Houthis claim that it is a "eye-for-an-eye" policy, saying that now their rebel forces will enact a "siege for a siege", claiming that the Saudi monarchy will be faced with a 'comprehensive and decisive escalation' if they decide to respond with “foolish acts”.
In Statement, they said:
Statement by the Yemeni Armed Forces Regarding the Announcement of a Maritime Ban on the Saudi Enemy in Response to the Siege and Aggression, and Affirming Full Readiness - July 20, 2026
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
God says: "But those who, after suffering injustice, turn back to God and forgive, and who repel evil with good, for them is a reward from God, and He is the All-Knowing."
The Saudi enemy continues its unjust and brutal siege on our dear people, for nearly twelve years, plundering resources and imposing a comprehensive blockade on ports, airports, and land borders, which has exacerbated the suffering of our dear people to an unbearable level, without any right or justification for it. This is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated, as it is not based on any right, legal, or humanitarian grounds, and it has no legitimacy. It is a false and aggressive siege, and its consequences are disastrous for our dear Yemeni people. It also began with aggression against our country by targeting Sana'a International Airport in a blatant and treacherous act. Our people cannot endure this unjust siege and aggression without taking a stand. Our great people are a faithful and striving people, a people of faith and wisdom, and they are the bearers of a just cause, and they have the full right to confront this siege and aggression by all available means.
Therefore, in response to the calls of our dear and striving people in the massive million-person demonstration on the day of warning and mobilization, and the previous gatherings and large tribal stands, the Yemeni Armed Forces affirm the following:
First: The Yemeni Armed Forces announce a maritime ban on the Saudi enemy, based on the principle of "siege for siege," which will take effect from the moment this statement is announced.
Second: We affirm the right of our great people to respond to the siege with a siege and to escalate with a comprehensive escalation, and to solidify this equation.
Third: The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm their full readiness for all options, and that any recklessness committed by the Saudi enemy through a comprehensive escalation will be met with a comprehensive and harsh escalation, by God's will and power.
Fourth: We call on the sons of our great people to continue the general mobilization and mobilization, and to be fully prepared for all scenarios and developments, and to support the fronts with fighters.
Fifth: We extend greetings with pride and reverence to the sons of our great Yemeni people who came out in an unprecedented million-person demonstration of warning and mobilization, and we assure them that we will not spare any effort in recovering their plundered rights and ending the unjust siege against them, no matter the consequences, relying on God and trusting in Him.
God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs. He is our Lord and our Helper.
May Yemen live free, proud, and independent.
Victory is for Yemen and for all the free people of the nation.
Sana'a, 6th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 AH
Corresponding to July 20, 2026.
Issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces.
📝 It should be noted that this siege, as brutal as it may be, occurred after the same Zaydi Shia militants unilaterally plunged the country into civil war during the Arab Spring and violently seized power in the Yemeni Capital