Houthis Unleash Maritime Blockade as Tensions with Saudi Arabia Escalate

The Houthi movement in Yemen has announced new rules of engagement against Saudi Arabia, escalating tensions in the region. According to Yahya Saree, Ansar Allah's military spokesperson, the group will target Saudi military deployments and defend Yemen's sovereignty. The Houthis have already launched attacks on Saudi oil vessels and military targets.

Saree stated that Houthi forces had targeted eight Saudi oil vessels since imposing a maritime blockade on July 20. Five of these attacks occurred in the Red Sea, while three took place in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. In addition to this, 48 Saudi oil vessels were forced to retreat, with 34 doing so in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, and 14 in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have also launched operations against Saudi military deployments in various locations, including Yanbu, Najran, Jizan, and Abha. Additionally, they have targeted oil supplies in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Saree warned that 'any comprehensive escalation will be met with comprehensive escalation.'