Yemen's Houthis declare maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia
Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, threatening to disrupt oil exports and escalate regional tensions. The move follows increased friction between the Houthis, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, raising concerns about global energy market stability.
Why it matters
A blockade of Saudi ports could significantly impact global oil prices and exacerbate the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Yemen's Houthi rebels announced a maritime embargo of Saudi Arabia on Monday (all times local), stepping up the US-Iran war as the rebels threatened the top oil exporter's ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iran-backed group did not say how it planned to impose the embargo, whose declaration came as Iran said it was back to a "full-scale war" with the United States, and as Washington and Tehran battled to control the strait.
Later Saudi's foreign ministry condemned the Houthi maritime blockade and a reasserted Riyadh's backing for Yemen's Aden-based government.
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis traded fire last week for the first time in years, threatening a 2022 truce that has held despite expiring.
The exchange of strikes was set off when an Iranian plane attempted to land in Sanaa, challenging Saudi Arabia's hegemony over Yemeni skies.
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