Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising fears of further regional escalation and possible disruption to global energy supplies and key shipping routes.
In a statement on Monday, the Houthi armed forces said they were imposing "a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy" with immediate effect.
The group said the move was based on what it described as an "eye for an eye" response to what it called an "unjust and oppressive siege" imposed on Yemen by Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh has not immediately responded to the announcement.
The Houthis' announcement has raised concerns about the security of one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.
A full closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea, could disrupt Saudi oil shipments to Asia and potentially affect global oil supplies.
The strait is a vital route for energy exports and international shipping, with millions of barrels of oil passing through it each day.
The announcement comes as global energy markets are already under pressure following a sharp reduction in oil flows linked to the Iran conflict.
Mohammed Albasha, a Yemeni analyst and founder of the Washington-based Basha Report risk advisory firm, said it remained unclear whether the Houthis would move from threats to direct attacks on shipping.
"The question now is whether they will begin targeting vessels heading to Saudi ports. At this stage, there's no clear answer," he said.
"Even if no ships are attacked, the announcement alone is likely to disrupt shipping and create uncertainty for Saudi ports. Whether the Houthis move from threats to direct action remains the critical issue," Albasha added.
The announcement follows Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia last week.
The group said the strikes were carried out in response to Saudi air strikes on an airport under Houthi control.
The attacks marked a renewed escalation between Riyadh and the Iran-aligned movement after a four-year truce in the conflict between the two sides.
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