Foreign Relations

Houthi Official Says Saudi Maritime Alliance Cannot Protect Vessels

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of three armed Houthi supporters raising rifles beneath fireworks at night.

A Houthi official said Saudi Arabia's proposed 14-country maritime defense alliance would not protect Saudi vessels, arguing that security would come only after Riyadh lifted what the Iran-backed group calls its blockade of Yemen. Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said the coalition is defensive, open to additional members, and intended to safeguard navigation, trade routes and energy corridors in the Red Sea. Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan are among the supporting states, while Oman and the United Arab Emirates did not back the statement. The confrontation follows Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers and infrastructure around Bab el-Mandeb.

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