Yemen and the Red Sea

Houthis declare naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea effective immediately

Current condition: Houthi embargo on Saudi-linked shipping

This version is a correction.

MARITIME CONTROL
Location
Bab el-Mandeb
Actors
Houthis · Saudi Arabia
Importance
Major

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis declared on 20 July 2026 a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, answering what they called Riyadh's siege of Yemen with 'a blockade for a blockade'. The German Navy Shipping Centre assessed on 20 August 2026 that the blockade against vessels linked to Saudi Arabia remains in effect, with continued attacks on merchant shipping in the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.

Verification: Confirmed

Evidence: Houthis declare naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, Yemen's Houthis declare naval blockade of Saudi Arabia: What to know, Security Update Brief Persian Gulf (13-20 August 2026)

Declaration wired by multiple agencies; continuation verified by German Navy MSB as of 20 August. Prepared 2026-08-24T02:49:36Z.