Saudi Arabia rejects Houthi allegations, vows to protect maritime navigation

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia strongly rejected allegations made by the Houthi militia accusing the Kingdom of imposing a blockade on the Yemeni people and restricting maritime navigation, reaffirming its support for Yemen and vowing to take all necessary measures to protect its vessels in accordance with international law.In a statement on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia has worked alongside Yemen's legitimate government over the past several years to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people through development projects, budgetary support and fuel supplies to operate power plants.The ministry said more than 300 commercial vessels carrying food, fuel, construction materials and other goods entered the northern Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Al Salif and Ras Issa during the first half of 2026. It added that measures to prevent the smuggling of weapons and ammunition remain in place under UN Security Council Resolution 2216.The ministry recalled a series of Houthi attacks that have targeted Yemen and the wider region, including the 2020 attack on Aden Airport, strikes on oil export terminals in southern Yemen in 2022, the seizure of four Yemenia Airways aircraft at Sanaa airport, and attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.It said those actions have deepened the humanitarian and economic suffering of the Yemeni people, disrupted travel, undermined the legitimate government's revenues and worsened conditions in areas under Houthi control.The ministry added that the Houthis are attempting to divert attention from growing economic difficulties and public discontent by making false accusations against the Kingdom.The ministry reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia's objective remains achieving peace in Yemen and ending the suffering of its people. It said the Kingdom has consistently supported UN-led peace efforts, including the proposed roadmap accepted by Yemen's legitimate government, while the Houthis declined to announce their acceptance.Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities by implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.The ministry said the Kingdom will take all necessary measures to protect its vessels in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.It reiterated Saudi Arabia's continued support for the Yemeni people and the country's legitimate government.