The Houthi rebels of Yemen have claimed this Friday that their forces have forced the diversion of up to eight Saudi-owned oil tankers attempting to cross the Bab el Mandeb strait, as part of the naval blockade strategy they maintain against Saudi Arabia.
The military spokesperson for the Houthi insurgency, Yahya Sari, has communicated on social media that "eight Saudi oil tankers have been forced to change their course towards Al Raya al Salé," an action that he has placed within the rebels' policy of "blockade for blockade."
"The Armed Forces confirm that they continue with the blockade operation against the Saudi enemy and that their hand will reach their ships whenever possible (...) We will spare no effort to end the blockade and recover all the rights" of the Yemeni people, the insurgent spokesperson has assured.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia presented this Thursday its plan to establish a military coalition for maritime defense with the support of thirteen countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Bahrain, with the aim of strengthening the protection of "international maritime routes and addressing threats to maritime navigation and global trade" in the Bab el Mandeb strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.