The Houthi-affiliated Saba news agency reports that six ships sailing in the Red Sea reversed course after a Houthi warning, as part of a blockade on Saudi ports. The claim expands on earlier reports of two oil tankers turning back toward the Suez Canal.
The Houthi-affiliated Saba news agency claimed on Tuesday that six ships sailing in the Red Sea reversed course after a Houthi warning, as part of an announced blockade on Saudi ports. The claim expands on earlier reports from Monday evening, when The Zioneer published a series of updates on the Houthi naval blockade.
In a series of updates published at 20:32 Jerusalem on Monday, The Zioneer first reported an audio recording of Houthi forces instructing Saudi vessels to turn back, followed by an analysis claiming the blockade threatens Saudi oil exports and the Neom project. The desk then reported that the Houthis had sent direct email warnings to shipping companies. Two separate reports followed — one citing Reuters and one citing the Abu Saleh Arab Desk — identifying four oil tankers that had reversed course, with Reuters confirming two Saudi crude tankers heading toward the Suez Canal. The thread shows a rapid escalation from unverified claims to multiple corroborating sources.
The Houthi movement has repeatedly threatened maritime traffic in the region. As The Zioneer reported on June 8, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed a missile strike on Jaffa and announced a full ban on Israeli Red Sea shipping. On July 14, the Houthis warned airlines against flying over Saudi airspace. The desk also reported on July 17 an attack on a vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, and on July 20 a Yemeni resistance force thwarted a Houthi boat approach near Zuqar Island.
The Saba report remains unverified, originating from a single source aligned with the Houthis. No independent confirmation of the six ships turning back has been published.
10 developments
- DevelopingHouthi military spokesman declared naval blockade against Saudi Arabia
- StrongHouthis attack vessel in Bab el-Mandeb strait
- DevelopingSaudi-adjacent daily: Yemen weighs blocking Bab el-Mandeb to Saudi shipping
- DevelopingHouthi-affiliated news agency claims six ships turned back in Red Sea after blockade warning
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