Yemen’s Houthi rebels have issued a direct warning to international shipping companies, instructing them not to load or discharge cargo at Saudi Arabian ports.
The group stated that vessels engaging in such activities could be targeted “in any location,” marking a significant expansion of their naval blockade strategy.
The directive, revealed in an email obtained by Reuters, signals a deliberate attempt to extend the conflict’s reach beyond the Red Sea corridor.
By threatening ships servicing Saudi ports, the Houthis are targeting the Kingdom’s critical energy export infrastructure, potentially disrupting oil and gas flows from the Gulf region.
This development follows the Houthis’ recent declaration of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, which already heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The new warning introduces a broader geographic risk for maritime trade, forcing carriers to reassess routes and insurance premiums for Gulf operations.