- Houthis fired ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea, stepping up enforcement of a newly declared maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia.
- Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, stated that the vessel had breached the blockade, ignored warning calls, and was forced to change course.
- On July 20, the Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea in response to what they described as a Saudi siege on Yemen, an allegation Riyadh has denied.
- The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reported conducting strikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen's Hodeidah governorate, claiming these sites were used to threaten commercial shipping.
- China has engaged in direct talks with Yemen's Houthi movement to ensure its tankers can sail through the southern Red Sea without being attacked after the Houthis pledged to prevent access to Saudi ports.
- Chinese officials have cleared each vessel individually with the Houthis, and both sides have informed Iran of their actions.
Yemen's Houthis have intensified their maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia by firing ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea. The group's military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that the tanker breached the blockade and ignored warning calls, necessitating a change in course.2
The Houthis announced the blockade on July 20, citing a Saudi siege on Yemen as the reason for their actions, a claim that Riyadh has categorically denied. In retaliation, the Saudi-led coalition has conducted airstrikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen's Hodeidah governorate, asserting that these sites threaten commercial shipping.34
In a related development, China has engaged in direct talks with the Houthis to ensure the safety of its tankers navigating the southern Red Sea. Sources indicate that Beijing has requested the Houthis to guarantee safe passage for its vessels, with individual clearances being granted for each ship. This diplomatic effort underscores the growing international concern over the Houthis' maritime activities and their implications for regional shipping routes.5
The Houthis have warned international shipping companies via email that vessels may be attacked if they approach Saudi Arabian ports, further heightening tensions in the region.
“The Houthis' military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated the tanker ignored warning calls and was forced to change course. Meanwhile, China is engaging with the Houthis to ensure safe passage for its tankers through the Red Sea, following the militia's pledge to prevent access to Saudi ports.”
