Houthis Set Conditions for Saudi Arabia as Maritime Disputes Escalate

The Houthi movement in Yemen has outlined three conditions for Saudi Arabia to end its blockade and military operations. According to the group, Saudi must respond to the blockade with a blockade of its own, target Saudi military deployments wherever they are located, and defend Yemen's sovereignty against any incursions.

The Houthis have been targeting Saudi oil tankers since July 20, when they announced a ban on maritime traffic to and from the Kingdom. In that time, they claim to have targeted eight Saudi vessels, with five in the Red Sea and three in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. The group also reports preventing 48 Saudi oil tankers from crossing regional waters.

The Houthi statement warns Saudi Arabia against further escalation, declaring that 'any comprehensive escalation will be met with comprehensive escalation.' This comes as a minister in Yemen's internationally recognized government warned that the Houthis are planning to seize coastal areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major maritime passage.