Qatar backs Riyadh, condemns Houthi maritime blockade threat

Qatar has condemned the statement by Yemen’s Houthi movement announcing a ban on maritime navigation for Saudi Arabia.

In a statement issued on the matter, the Qatari Foreign Ministry stressed that freedom of navigation in international waterways is one of the fundamental principles of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Caliber.Az reports.

“The Ministry also reiterates the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty and security. It further affirms that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of the State of Qatar and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries,” the statement read.

The move by Qatar follows a declaration by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement on July 20, 2026, that it would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, describing the measure as retaliation for what it called a long-standing Saudi siege on Yemeni ports and airports and recent strikes, including one targeting Sanaa International Airport.

This move specifically targets Saudi vessels and shipping through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade and Saudi oil exports to Asian markets, raising concerns about further disruptions to energy supplies already strained by conflicts in the region.

The announcement marks a significant breach of the informal truce between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis that had held since 2022, following earlier Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea linked to broader conflicts.

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the claims and affirmed it would take measures to protect its shipping under international law.

By Jeyhun Aghazada