Yemen Armed Forces Launch Naval Blockade Against Saudi Arabia

Yemen’s armed forces have initiated a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in response to what they described as Saudi Arabia’s “long-term siege,” potentially escalating tensions in the region to a new level, said Yahya Sari, spokesperson for Yemen’s armed forces. He stated that Saudi Arabia has maintained an unfair blockade against the Yemeni people for nearly 12 years, plundering the country’s resources. Sari emphasized that this situation is “unacceptable and intolerable” for the people of Yemen. The spokesperson added that the naval blockade against Saudi Arabia has now entered its operational phase and is being implemented under the principle of “siege for siege.” He stressed that Yemeni forces are prepared for “comprehensive escalation in response to any escalation.” Furthermore, Sari urged Yemeni citizens to be ready for all scenarios and to support the battlefronts. He expressed gratitude for the widespread participation in a march called “Warning and Mobilization” and affirmed their commitment to ending the blockade and recovering lost rights. The Yemeni war escalated significantly in 2015 with the intervention of the Saudi-led coalition, and in recent years, there have been repeated military tensions and reciprocal attacks between the parties involved.