Saudi Arabia condemns accusations by the so-called Houthi military spokesperson regarding the blockade of the Yemeni people and the ban on maritime navigation
Saudi Arabia expressed its “strongest condemnation” on Monday regarding the accusations made by the so-called military spokesperson for the Houthi terrorist militia, which alleged that the Kingdom 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, including by continuing development projects, supporting the Yemeni government’s budget, and providing petroleum derivatives to operate power plants.
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. This 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.
It further stated that during the period of de-escalation, the militia targeted oil export ports in southern Yemen on October 21, 2022, which halted the government’s ability to sell oil, accounting for approximately 60 percent of government revenues. This directly impacted the payment of salaries to employees. Additionally, the militia confiscated four aircraft belonging to Yemenia Airways, detaining them at Sana’a Airport after they had transported Yemeni pilgrims from Jeddah.
The statement pointed out that the Houthi militia dragged Yemen into regional conflicts and targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, exacerbating the suffering of the Yemeni people, preventing travel, and worsening economic problems, particularly in areas controlled by the militia. It also highlighted the militia’s rejection of all initiatives to resume flights from Sana’a 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 the Kingdom.
It affirmed that the Kingdom’s position aims to achieve peace in Yemen and end the suffering of the Yemeni people. The Kingdom has supported UN efforts to achieve peace in Yemen over the past years, including the roadmap approved by the Yemeni government, while the Houthi militia refused to declare its acceptance and engaged in regional conflict to support its sinister agenda and objectives, thereby multiplying the suffering of Yemeni citizens in areas under its control.
Saudi Arabia 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 confirmed 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 reaffirmed that the Kingdom continues to support the Yemeni people and its legitimate government.
