None.

China urges respect for Saudi Arabia’s ‘sovereignty and security’

The statement from Beijing comes after Saudi Arabia intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi group last week.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian called for respect for Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region during the US-Iran war.

“China opposes attacks against civilian facilities,” he told reporters. “The sovereignty and security of Saudi Arabia and other countries should be respected.”

Beijing advocates for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means to “create conditions for an early restoration of peace and tranquillity in the region”, Lin said.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah, threatened a “siege” on Saudi Arabia in retaliation for an attack on Sanaa International Airport.

Houthi spokesman gives news conference on Saudi Arabia

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree says the blockade on Yemen’s ports and the attack on its airport in Sanaa will be met with a response.

“Our people cannot endure this unjust siege and aggression without taking a stand… They have the full right to confront this unjust siege and aggression by all available means,” said Saree.

Yemen’s Houthis announce maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a maritime embargo of their foe Saudi Arabia after the two sides traded fire last week for the first time in years.

The rebels “declare a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye,’ effective immediately upon the issuance of this statement”, military spokesman Yahya Saree said.

Houthis express ‘complete readiness for all options’

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree says the continued blockade of Yemen’s Sanaa airport “is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated”.

Saree vowed to retaliate “to the blockade with a blockade and to respond to all escalation with escalation”.

The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for strikes on Sanaa airport last week and retaliated by targeting Saudi’s Abha International Airport.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm their complete readiness for all options and any foolish act committed by the reckless Saudi enemy,” said Saree.

“We call upon the people of our great nation to continue the general mobilization and general call to arms, and to be fully prepared for all scenarios and developments, and to support the fronts with fighters.”

Houthis make ‘significant move’ as tensions rise with Saudi Arabia

This is a significant military move undertaken by the Ansar Allah Houthi movement that highlights the gravity of the situation.

The Houthis have been very clear for the past three weeks, saying that if the blockade on Sanaa International Airport continues, it will be met with increased military activity directed against the Saudi government.

Last week the airport was attacked, and the internationally recognised government claimed responsibility for the strike, which prevented an Iranian flight from landing at Sanaa’s airport. It was diverted to another airport under the control of the Sanaa government.

Ansar Allah Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of being behind the attack on the Sanaa airport.

The bigger issue is they also believe that Saudi Arabia and its coalition allies have been engaged in a coordinated effort to impose a siege on Yemen through the air and sea. According to the latest military statement, a blockade will be responded to with a blockade.

Houthis see Saudi maritime embargo as an ‘opportunity’

The Houthis appear to be using the announcement of a maritime embargo targeting Saudi Arabia to “redraw the rules” while regional powers are under pressure, an analyst says.

Zeidon Alkinani, founding director of the Arab Perspectives Institute, told Al Jazeera there is “very clear” messaging in the announcement.

There was “no mention of Iran” suggesting the Houthis are acting to exploit what they see as a window of opportunity while both Saudi Arabia and the United States are pre-occupied with Iran. “They’re taking it as an opportunity to redraw the rules imposed on them before,” he said.

Negotiations with the Houthis could be “easier” than talks involving either the US or Iran, which remain in direct confrontation. “From a Houthi perspective they are controlling Yemen, which is in the GCC orbit,” he said.

Alkinani said direct negotiations with the Houthis would now make sense.

Trump, MBA coordinating on action against Houthis

Trump spoke to Saudi Crown Prince on Friday in what many believe was to get Trump’s approval for what MBS was planning to do as far as the Houthis in Yemen were concerned.

It was to gauge and to coordinate how any Saudi actions against the group might need US diplomatic support but possibly military support as well. So the US must be factoring all of this.

Ideally, the US would like to get a ceasefire with Iran. There’s been no confirmation from the US that they’re talking to mediators. Information on that process has been limited, if not shrouded in secrecy.

Houthi leader says strike on Sanaa airport will not go unanswered

Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the governing body of the Houthi administration, says a recent strike on Sanaa International Airport had exposed Saudi Arabia as the force behind what he described as a years-long siege on the Yemeni people.

In a series of statements carried by al-Masirah, the Houthis’ broadcast outlet, al-Mashat dismissed what he described as political and media manoeuvring, while reiterating that Saudi Arabia has no option but to end the siege on the Yemeni people.

He added that the aggression on the airport was a reckless and condemned act.

 ‘An eye for an eye’: Yemen’s Houthis announce maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announce a maritime embargo of their foe Saudi Arabia after the two sides traded fire last week for the first time in years.

UN concerned over Houthi Red Sea blockade threats

Spokesperson for the UN chief says the organization is concerned with Houthi threats of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia.

“It’s obviously another chokepoint. We’re already seeing the impact of the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what impact that is having on the global economy,” said Stephane Dujarric.

The UN appears to be more concerned about a response from the Houthis inflicted by Saudi Arabia than the increase of violations of international law by the United States committed in a war that has no authorization. It is concerned about a response that will affect Europe only, not any poor country in the developing world.

Saudi Arabia condemns Houthi’s blockade

Saudi Arabia has condemned remarks by the Houthis accusing the kingdom of besieging Yemen and the group’s announcement of preventing maritime navigation to Saudi ports.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry called the accusations “baseless”.

Houthi blockade signals shift in strategy with ‘clear messaging’ targeting Saudi Arabia

The Houthis appear to be using the announcement of a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia to “redraw the rules” while regional powers are under pressure, says analyst Zeidon Alkinani.

The founding director of the Arab Perspectives Institute said there is “very clear” messaging in the announcement.

There was “no mention of Iran”, suggesting the Houthis are acting to exploit what they see as a window of opportunity while both Saudi Arabia and the United States are preoccupied with Iran. “They’re taking it as an opportunity to redraw the rules imposed on them before,” he said.

Negotiations with the Houthis could be “easier” than talks involving either the US or Iran, which remain in direct confrontation. “From a Houthi perspective, they are controlling Yemen, which is in the GCC orbit,” he said.

Alkinani said direct negotiations with the Houthis would now make sense.