Yemen’s Houthis declare naval blockade of Saudi Arabia: What to know

The announcement came days after the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for attacking Sanaa airport, despite Yemen’s internationally recognised government claiming responsibility, saying it was to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in the capital.

The group, which seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, accused Saudi leaders of imposing “an unjust and oppressive siege” for nearly 12 years, “plundering our resources and imposing a comprehensive blockade on our ports and airports by land, sea, and air”.

Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Yemen is edging closer to renewed confrontationlist 2 of 4Leading Houthi threatens ‘siege’ on Saudi Arabia after Yemen airport attacklist 3 of 4Why Yemen’s long ‘no war, no peace’ deadlock may be endinglist 4 of 4Pro-government militia seizes boat with ‘Houthi weapons materials’ in Yemenend of listThe action marks a new phase in the long-running war between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, which has backed Yemen’s internationally -recognised government since 2015.