Saudi-led coalition: Will protect member state vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

On July 20, Xinhua News Agency reported from Riyadh (Reporter Luo Chen) that Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, stated that the coalition command has begun taking measures to ensure the safe passage of member countries' vessels through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the coalition will respond "swiftly and decisively" to any threats posed by the Houthi armed forces in Yemen.

Earlier that day, Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Houthi armed forces, announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, claiming that this move is a response to Saudi Arabia's nearly 12-year-long comprehensive land, sea, and air blockade of Yemen, and that recent airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport are also one of the reasons for this measure.

In response, Al-Maliki stated in the announcement that the Houthi armed forces' claim is a "lie" fabricated to escalate actions against the Yemeni government and neighboring countries. The Houthi armed forces are responsible for the closure of Sanaa International Airport and the damage to the Yemeni Airlines fleet, and they have also refused to restore flights to and from the airport.

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement the same day condemning the Houthi armed forces' accusations against Saudi Arabia and the maritime blockade. The statement said, "Faced with economic difficulties and public discontent, the Houthi armed forces are attempting to shirk responsibility by fabricating false accusations against Saudi Arabia." Saudi Arabia will take all necessary measures to protect its vessels in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Recent attacks on Sanaa International Airport have escalated regional tensions, with the Houthi armed forces blaming Saudi Arabia for the attacks and launching missiles and drones in retaliation. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned that if Saudi Arabia engages in larger-scale military operations against Yemen, Saudi oil facilities and other strategic infrastructure could become targets.