Yemen’s Houthi rebels have vowed to take “an eye for an eye” after the Saudi Arabian government-backed strikes on the Sana’a Airport. Houthi rebels have declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, marking the biggest escalation between the two sides in years.

This blockade comes a week after the bombing of the airport.  Forces loyal to Yemen’s Saudi-backed government, who were responsible for the bombing, attempted to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation returning from Tehran from landing.

According to a report by RT, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree condemned what he called an “unjust and oppressive siege” of the country. “The Yemeni Armed Forces declare a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye,’ effective immediately,” Saree said in a video posted on X. The spokesman further warned that “any foolish act” by Saudi Arabia “will be met with a comprehensive and decisive escalation.”

The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned “the Houthi terrorist militia” and vowed to “take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law.”

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While infamously active in 2014 for taking hold of Yemen’s capital during the civil war, the Houthi terrorist group regained notoriety recently when it started attacking ships in the Red Sea in 2023.

After the war between Israel and Gaza broke out in 2023, the militant group began attacking ships in the Red Sea in what it described as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians. Those attacks largely ceased following a United States-Houthi ceasefire in May 2025. The Red Sea is vital in shipping, and its safety remains a priority.

If the Houthi rebels can successfully blockade Saudi Arabia, that could further put the world’s supply chain on edge. Currently, the Strait of Hormuz, another key maritime chokepoint, remains closed due to the ongoing US-Iran war. The US launched strikes against Iran for a tenth consecutive night on Tuesday, with both sides signaling that the truce was effectively over.

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