UN spokesman says Houthi threats risk wider regional escalation

Update

The UN secretary-general's spokesman was identified as Stephane Dujarric.

Dujarric said the UN was concerned by renewed Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and freedom of navigation.

Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 16:45:33 UTC.

Update

A UN spokesman said the Houthi blockade of Saudi Arabia risked an even wider regional conflict.

Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 16:33:28 UTC.

Update

The Houthis did not say how they planned to impose the embargo.

The announcement came as Iran said it was back to a full-scale war with the United States and as Washington and Tehran battled to control the Strait of Hormuz.

The source says Saudi Red Sea ports, including Yanbu, have become more important for oil exports as renewed fighting limits passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Analyst Mohammed al-Basha said the announcement alone is likely to disrupt shipping and create uncertainty for Saudi ports, even if no ships are attacked.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the move responded to Saudi Arabia's blockade of Houthi ports and airports and to the targeting of Sanaa airport last week.

The item adds details about last week's exchange of fire, including Houthi missile fire at Abha airport and Yemen's government saying it hit Sanaa airport to block a flight from Iran with a Houthi delegation aboard.

The source includes context on previous Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping from November 2023 during the Gaza war and on the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 15:07:31 UTC.

Update

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the embargo was a response to what he described as Saudi Arabia's blockade of Houthi ports and airports and the targeting of Sanaa airport last week.

Saree said the Houthis would respond to what he called a blockade with a blockade and warned that escalation by Saudi Arabia would be met with further escalation.

The source says the Houthis fired missiles at Abha airport last Monday after Yemen's government said it hit Sanaa airport to block a flight from Iran carrying a Houthi delegation.

The source adds context on Saudi-led coalition clearance requirements for aircraft entering Yemeni airspace and on previous Houthi attacks on shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.

The source notes that the Red Sea includes the Saudi port of Yanbu, used for oil exports while Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf during its war with the United States.

Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 12:39:11 UTC.

Update

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced the embargo.

Saree said the embargo was effective immediately upon the statement's issuance.

The announcement followed Saudi Arabia and the Houthis trading fire last week for the first time in years.

Saree described the measure as based on an 'eye for an eye' equation.

Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 12:11:27 UTC.