• Yemen's Houthi movement imposes a ban on maritime navigation involving Saudi Arabia, citing Riyadh's blockade on Yemen as the reason.
• Houthi military spokesman warns of a "comprehensive and severe" response to any further Saudi escalation, urging supporters to be prepared for all scenarios and developments.
• Tensions rise between the Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government over flights to Sana'a International Airport, sparking concerns of a reignition of the conflict in Yemen.

Yemen's Houthi movement said on Monday that it was imposing a ban on maritime navigation involving Saudi Arabia.

The announcement by the Iran-aligned organization came amid renewed tensions with the internationally recognized Yemeni government and raised concerns that the conflict could escalate.

In a video statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi vessels would be subject the ban with immediate effect under the principle of "blockade for blockade," accusing Riyadh of maintaining a blockade on Yemen.

Saree warned that any further Saudi escalation would be met with a "comprehensive and severe" response, adding that the Houthis were "fully prepared for all options." He also urged supporters to remain mobilized and ready for "all scenarios and developments."

There was no immediate response from Saudi authorities or the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

The announcement follows a sharp rise in tensions over flights to Sana'a International Airport.

The internationally recognized government said last week it had struck the airport's runway to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing and later tightened controls over Yemeni airspace, requiring all flights to obtain prior government authorization.

The Houthis responded by claiming an attack on Abha Airport in southern Saudi Arabia and warning of further measures if restrictions on Sana'a airport remained in place.

Although an informal truce has largely held since 2022 between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, the latest confrontation has raised concerns that the conflict could reignite.

Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 and imposed an air, sea and land blockade aimed at preventing weapons from reaching the Houthis. Critics say the restrictions have also served as a form of economic pressure, contributing to a humanitarian crisis in which more than 22 million people require aid.

The Iran-aligned Houthis announced a "complete blockade" of Israeli shipping in the Red Sea in June and have claimed repeated attacks on Israel. While there have been several maritime security incidents off Yemen's coast since then, the large-scale attacks on commercial shipping seen from late 2023 have not resumed.

The Houthis control territory overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.