rki.news | Sources: Xinhua
SANAA/CAIRO, July 22: Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed that six commercial vessels turned back after receiving maritime warnings linked to its newly announced restrictions targeting Saudi-associated shipping.
According to the Houthi-run Saba news agency, citing military sources, the vessels changed course within the past 24 hours after the warnings were issued. However, the report did not provide details about the ships, their locations, destinations or nationalities, and the claim could not be independently verified.
The announcement followed the group’s decision to impose a maritime ban on Saudi-linked vessels, which it described as a response to what it called Saudi Arabia’s ongoing blockade of Houthi-controlled areas.
The group’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center warned shipping companies and vessel operators against loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports, saying violators could face attacks.
No independent reports have confirmed disruptions to commercial shipping since the announcement. Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy condemned Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia, calling them a dangerous escalation that could increase regional tensions and reaffirming support for Saudi security and sovereignty.