Political / Joint Forces Command of the Coalition: We will protect our commercial ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and will respond to sources of threats firmly and forcefully

Riyadh, 06 Safar 1448 AH corresponding to 20 July 2026, SPA -- The official spokesman of the Coalition Forces "Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen", Major General Turki Al-Maliki, stated that the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition is taking and implementing all decisive and strict operational measures in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) to protect our naval ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Major General Al-Maliki explained that the allegations regarding the closure of Yemeni ports and airports come in the context of falsehoods and Houthi escalation against the Yemeni government and neighboring countries, and that the Houthi narrative about the blockade is misleading, as more than (300) commercial ships entered the ports of (Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa) during the first half of 2026, carrying various food materials, goods, fuel, and construction materials. He added that the Houthi militia is the one that caused the closure of Sana'a International Airport and destroyed the planes of Yemenia airline, and also refused all initiatives to resume flights to and from the airport. Major General Al-Maliki confirmed that the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has begun implementing measures to protect coalition ships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and will respond to Houthi threats to passing ships with all firmness and force, considering these threats as a clear violation of international law and an act of maritime piracy. // End // 23:29 T M 0203