UAE condemns Houthi maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates has condemned the Yemeni Houthi movement's decision to impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, warning that the measure threatens regional security and freedom of navigation in international waters.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the blockade poses a risk to regional stability and called on the international community to ensure the implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The statement follows an announcement by a spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi movement, Ansar Allah, who declared a ban on maritime navigation for Saudi Arabia, describing it as a response based on the principle of "siege for siege".

According to the announcement, the blockade applies not only to vessels linked to Saudi Arabia but also to all commercial ships travelling to and from Saudi ports.

Earlier reports said six merchant vessels changed course over the past 24 hours after the Houthis warned they had imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.

By Aghakazim Guliyev