Houthis Renew Threats Against Saudi Arabia Amid Maritime Blockade
The Houthi terrorist group in Yemen has renewed its threat against Saudi Arabia on the occasion of Muhammad's birthday, accusing Riyadh of serving Zionism and vowing to continue attacks on neighboring countries.
The leader of the Ansar Allah group, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, claimed that Saudi Arabia's actions are guided by U.S. interests rather than its own sovereignty, as he criticized the country for allowing Israeli visits and tightening the blockade on Yemen.
In July, Houthi leaders declared a maritime ban on Saudi ships in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which has disrupted global shipping and forced tankers to take expensive routes around Africa. The group has boasted of targeted attacks on presumed Saudi vessels, including an alleged oil tanker bombed off the coast of Yemen last Monday.
The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia began in 2014 when Houthi forces seized control of Sana'a with support from Iran. The legitimate government of Yemen is based in Aden and relies heavily on Saudi aid for its survival.