Houthi Group Claims 6 Vessels Turned Back After Maritime Warnings

SANAA/CAIRO, (Xinhua) — Yemen’s Houthi group said on Tuesday that six commercial vessels had “turned back over the past 24 hours” after receiving warnings issued under its newly announced maritime restrictions targeting Saudi-linked shipping.

The claim was reported by the Houthi-run Saba news agency, citing military sources within the group.

The report did not identify the ships or specify their locations, destinations or nationalities, and the claim could not be independently verified.

The claim came a day after the Houthi group announced a maritime ban on Saudi-linked vessels, saying the move was in response to what it described as Saudi Arabia’s long-running blockade on Houthi-controlled areas.

Earlier on Tuesday, the group’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center issued a notice instructing shipping companies and vessel operators not to load cargo at or unload cargo from Saudi ports, warning that vessels violating the directive could become subject to attack.

There have been no independent reports of disruptions to commercial shipping since the Houthi group announced the maritime ban.

Also on Tuesday, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy condemned recent “threats” by the Houthi group against Saudi Arabia, describing them as a dangerous and unacceptable escalation that could further inflame regional tensions.

In a statement, Fahmy voiced the Arab League’s full solidarity and support for Saudi Arabia in confronting any actions that could undermine its security, stability or sovereignty.