Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has threatened to escalate the conflict against Saudi Arabia, saying its main policy is to respond to Saudi Arabia’s actions by blocking the sea route, attacking Saudi military installations and protecting Yemen’s sovereignty.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari said eight Saudi oil tankers have been attacked since the Saudi ban on shipping began on July 20. Five of the attacks were in the Red Sea and three in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
He claimed that 48 Saudi oil tankers had to turn back due to Houthi threats. Of these, 34 were from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean and 14 from the Red Sea.
Yahya Sari also claimed that a total of nine attacks were carried out in the Yanbu, Najran, Jizan and Abha regions of Saudi Arabia and on the oil supply system in the eastern part of the country. In addition, 14 more operations were carried out targeting Saudi military positions in the areas of Al-Ruwaiq, Al-Abr, Al-Wadiyah, Marib and Al-Makha.
The Houthi spokesman warned, “If a major conflict breaks out, it will be responded to with a major conflict.”
The Houthis demand that Saudi Arabia lift the blockade, end its military operations in Yemen, pay government employees, withdraw foreign troops, and hand over full control of Yemen’s natural resources to the Yemenis.
