Saudi Arabia condemns accusations by the so-called Houthi military spokesperson regarding the siege of the Yemeni people and the ban on maritime navigation
Riyadh, July 20 (KUNA) -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today, Monday, expressed its strongest condemnation of the accusations made by the so-called military spokesperson for the Houthi terrorist militia, which alleged that Saudi Arabia was blockading the Yemeni people and banning maritime navigation.
In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that over the past years, the Kingdom has worked with the legitimate Yemeni government to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. This included continuing development projects, supporting the Yemeni government’s budget, and providing petroleum derivatives to operate power stations.
The statement added that ports in northern Yemen (Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa) received more than 300 ships carrying various food items, goods, fuel, and construction materials during the first half of 2026. These operations continued under the framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216, which aims to prevent the entry of weapons and ammunition that the Houthi militia attempts to smuggle into Yemen by all means to prolong its control over the Yemeni people’s resources.
It noted that the Houthi militia carried out widespread attacks targeting the Yemeni people and infrastructure in Yemen, including the attack on Aden Airport on December 30, 2020, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. Furthermore, during a period of de-escalation, the militia targeted oil export ports in southern Yemen on October 21, 2022. This incident halted the government’s ability to sell oil, which accounts for approximately 60 percent of government revenues, directly impacting its capacity to pay employees’ salaries. The militia also confiscated four aircraft belonging to Yemenia Airways, detaining them at Sanaa Airport after transferring Yemeni pilgrims from Jeddah province.
The statement highlighted the Houthi militia’s role in dragging Yemen into regional conflicts and targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. These actions exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people, restricted their travel, and worsened economic problems, particularly in areas under the militia’s control. The militia rejected all initiatives to resume flights from Sanaa Airport, including the latest Jordanian initiative, alongside continuous human rights violations against Yemeni citizens.
The statement clarified that the militia is now attempting to export its economic problems and the popular rejection of its crimes and violations by fabricating false accusations and directing them at Saudi Arabia. It affirmed that the Kingdom’s position aims to achieve peace in Yemen and end the suffering of the Yemeni people. Over the past years, the Kingdom has supported UN efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, including the roadmap approved by the Yemeni government, whereas the Houthi militia refused to declare its acceptance and instead engaged in regional conflicts to support its sinister agenda and objectives, thereby multiplying the suffering of Yemeni citizens in areas under its control.
The Kingdom called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216 concerning Yemen and Resolution 2722 concerning freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. At the same time, it affirmed that the Kingdom would take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The statement confirmed that the Kingdom remains committed to supporting the Yemeni people and its legitimate government. (End)
