Red Sea crisis: Houthis threaten Saudi-linked ships, Trump warns ‘we’ll take care’

Sanaa: Yemen’s Houthi group has issued a warning to international shipping companies, saying vessels involved in trade with Saudi ports could become potential targets for military action.

The warning was issued through an email notice circulated by the Sana’a-based group’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre. It reportedly applies not only to Saudi-flagged ships but also to vessels loading or unloading goods at Saudi ports.

The notice advised maritime operators to exercise caution while planning voyages involving Saudi ports, warning that ships involved in such activities could be targeted within Houthi operational areas.

Maritime blockade announcement raises concerns

The warning came shortly after the Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi ships.

Regional countries, including Kuwait and Qatar, rejected the move and reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation under international law.

So far, no commercial vessel has been reported to have been attacked under the new measures.

The latest escalation follows renewed tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia over Sana’a International Airport.

The Saudi-backed Yemeni government had earlier carried out a strike on the airport runway, saying it was aimed at preventing an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.

The Houthis blamed Riyadh for the attack and responded by launching missiles and drones towards Saudi territory.

Red Sea shipping faces fresh risks

The Houthis have previously targeted ships they accused of links to Israel and the United States during the Gaza conflict, forcing several shipping companies to avoid parts of the Red Sea and take longer alternative routes.

The Red Sea is a major global trade corridor connecting Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal, making security threats in the region a concern for international shipping and energy markets.

US President Donald Trump said Washington would respond if the Houthis attempted to block Saudi ports.

Trump said: “We've had no problem with the Houthis. They've had no problem with us for a long period of time, including during this conflict.”

He added that the US would “take care of” the Houthis if they moved to blockade Saudi ports.

The development comes amid broader regional tensions involving the United States and Iran, including concerns over security around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

Yemen has remained affected by conflict since the Houthis seized Sana’a and large parts of northern Yemen in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 in support of the Yemeni government.

The latest escalation has raised fears that the relative calm created after the 2022 United Nations-backed truce could come under threat.