Istanbul / Anadolu

Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council on Tuesday expressed their rejection of Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, affirming their support for Riyadh and the need to protect international waterways.

This comes amid rising tensions in the region due to the ongoing Yemen conflict.

These positions, according to Anadolu's monitoring, came from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Yemen, in addition to the Gulf Cooperation Council, following the Houthi group's announcement on Monday of a 'maritime navigation ban' on Saudi Arabia.

On Monday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced in a video statement a 'maritime navigation ban' on Saudi Arabia, in response to what the group says is a blockade imposed by Riyadh, adding that the decision 'takes effect from the moment the statement was issued.'

** Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned 'in the strongest terms' the Houthi group's announcement regarding the maritime navigation ban on the Kingdom, affirming that it will take 'all necessary measures to protect its ships' in accordance with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In turn, the Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen threatened to respond 'with all firmness and strength' to Houthi threats against ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and announced the start of implementing measures to protect its ships.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki affirmed that Houthi threats to maritime navigation constitute 'a clear violation of international law' and are classified as 'acts of maritime piracy.'

He considered that the Houthis' claims about the closure of Yemeni ports and airports fall under 'fallacies and escalation' against the Yemeni government and neighboring countries.

He pointed to the entry of more than 300 commercial ships into the Houthi-controlled ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa during the first half of the current year 2026, loaded with foodstuffs, goods, fuel, and construction materials.

Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of causing the closure of Sanaa International Airport and the destruction of Yemen Airways aircraft, and of rejecting initiatives aimed at resuming flights to and from the airport.

** Qatar

In turn, the Qatari Foreign Ministry expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the statements by the Houthi group's military spokesman regarding the accusation of Saudi Arabia of blockading the Yemeni people and imposing a maritime navigation ban.

The ministry called on the international community to assume its responsibilities regarding navigation rights and freedom in the Red Sea, affirming that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a fundamental principle of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It affirmed that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Qatar's security and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

** Bahrain

The Bahraini Foreign Ministry condemned the Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia, considering that they undermine the security and stability of the region, target maritime navigation and international trade, and constitute a violation of international law.

It affirmed that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Bahrain's security, calling for concerted international efforts to protect navigation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and all vital waterways.

** Kuwait

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry also condemned what it described as 'false claims' and threats targeting freedom of maritime navigation, calling on the international community to ensure the implementation of its resolutions regarding navigation rights and freedom in the Red Sea.

It stressed that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed by the rules of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

** Jordan

In turn, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry condemned the statements of the Houthi group's military spokesman, affirming its country's solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities to ensure the protection of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

It affirmed that 'freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed by international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.'

** Gulf Cooperation Council

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi expressed his condemnation and denunciation 'in the strongest terms' of the statements issued by the Houthi group's military spokesman and the 'false allegations' they contained against Saudi Arabia.

He affirmed that these statements are 'a pathetic and blatant attempt to distort facts and evade responsibility for the practices adopted by the group, which have contributed to deepening the suffering of the Yemeni people and threatening the security and stability of the region.'

Al-Budaiwi stressed that 'the security of maritime navigation and freedom of international trade represent a fundamental pillar of regional and international security and stability, and that any attempts to target international waterways constitute a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and relevant Security Council resolutions.'

He called on the international community to take a firm stance against Houthi threats and to work on implementing Security Council resolutions to ensure the protection of maritime navigation and prevent endangering international waterways.

** Yemen

Following the Houthi announcement, the Yemeni National Defense Council held an emergency meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh under the chairmanship of Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad al-Alimi.

The meeting discussed 'the readiness of the armed forces and all military formations to deter the escalation of the terrorist Houthi militias, and to mobilize all capabilities for the battle to restore state institutions and end the coup,' according to the official Yemeni news agency Saba.

It also listened to military and security reports on coordinated measures at all levels to deal with what it described as the 'Houthi threat,' and to counter attempts to impose any fait accompli outside the exclusive authorities of the state.

The council stressed that 'restoring state institutions, protecting national sovereignty and the republican system, represent a national priority that cannot be postponed,' calling on Yemenis to rally around the armed forces and security agencies and support them in performing their duties.

** Escalating Crisis

Despite intermittent clashes, Yemen has witnessed since April 2022 a de-escalation in a war that began more than 11 years ago between government forces backed by a coalition led by neighboring Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group, which has controlled provinces and cities including Sanaa since September 21, 2014.

On July 13, the Yemeni Defense Ministry announced that its forces targeted the runway of Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, while the Houthi group accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out the attack and considered it to mean the end of de-escalation.

In recent days, clashes have renewed between government forces and the Houthis in several provinces, including Al-Jawf, Al-Dhale, and Taiz, amid mutual threats between the two sides, in a country facing one of the worst humanitarian and economic crises in the world.

Freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait is vital for global trade. The Arab and Gulf rejection underscores the importance of maintaining the security of international waterways. The international community is expected to closely follow these developments due to their potential repercussions on regional stability.