Yemeni Government: Houthi Attack on Saudi Ship Is Terrorism Serving Iran's Agenda

July 23, 2026 - 16:27 | Last Updated July 23, 2026 - 16:41

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Ahmed Al-Shumairi

The Yemeni government condemned today (Thursday) in the strongest terms the terrorist attack carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which targeted a ship belonging to a Saudi company while sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the bow of the ship with no injuries reported.

The Yemeni government affirmed that the Houthi terrorist militia's public claim of responsibility for attacks targeting civilian ships and global energy supplies proves its terrorist nature and reveals its insistence on threatening regional and international security, gambling with the resources of the Yemeni people, and exacerbating their humanitarian suffering.

The government explained that this escalation reveals once again that the terrorist militia's claims regarding the blockade are merely a recurring pretext to escape responsibility for starving Yemenis, impoverishing them, and looting their resources. Official data and maritime traffic confirm the continued arrival of hundreds of ships laden with food, fuel, and commercial goods to ports under its control, conclusively refuting these lies and confirming that the humanitarian crisis is caused by the looting policies and war economy imposed by the militias on the Yemeni people.

The government affirmed that through these criminal attacks, the Houthi militia is cementing its position as the first terrorist group in history to systematically use ballistic missiles, drones, and booby-trapped boats to target civilian ships, commercial tankers, shipping lanes, and national oil facilities, just as it was the first group to kidnap United Nations employees and humanitarian aid workers without the slightest regard for the consequences of these criminal practices on the interests of the Yemeni people.

The statement clarified that the timing of this escalation and the nature of the civilian objects targeted by the Houthi militia confirm once again that its criminal operations are tied to external calculations and agendas, and to attempts to widen the circle of tension in the region and harm global energy security and international trade routes, serving the interests of the Iranian regime and its quest to use the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb as a pressure and blackmail card against the international community.

The Yemeni government warned the terrorist Houthi militia against continuing to gamble with the resources of the Yemeni people and dragging them into wars that have no bearing on their national interests, without learning from the lessons of the past and the devastation these adventures have brought to national infrastructure, including the destruction of Sana'a Airport, the ports of Hodeidah, and Yemenia Airways assets.

The Yemeni government accused the Houthis of exporting crises, while affirming that state institutions are now more capable of assuming their national responsibilities, and that the armed forces and security agencies are proceeding to deter the crimes and violations of this militia, protect Yemeni territory, territorial waters, airspace, and national interests, and confront any threat to the country's sovereignty, regional security, and stability.

The Yemeni government condemned today (Thursday) in the strongest terms the terrorist attack carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which targeted a ship belonging to a Saudi company while it was sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire breaking out at the front of the ship without any injuries.

The Yemeni government confirmed that the Houthi militia's public adoption of attacks targeting civilian ships and global energy supplies proves the terrorist nature of this militia and reveals its insistence on threatening regional and international security, gambling with the fortunes of the Yemeni people and exacerbating their humanitarian suffering.

The government clarified that this escalation once again reveals that the militia's claims about the blockade are nothing more than a repeated excuse to evade its responsibility for starving Yemenis, impoverishing them, and looting their resources. Official data and maritime traffic confirm the continued arrival of hundreds of ships loaded with food, fuel, and commercial goods to the ports under its control, which conclusively refutes those lies and confirms that the humanitarian crisis is caused by the looting policies and war economy imposed by the militias on the Yemeni people.

The government emphasized that the Houthi militia is reinforcing its position as the first terrorist group in history to systematically use ballistic missiles, drones, and explosive-laden boats to target civilian ships, commercial tankers, navigational corridors, and national oil facilities, just as it was the first group to kidnap United Nations employees and workers in humanitarian organizations, with no regard for the consequences of these criminal practices on the interests of the Yemeni people.

The statement clarified that the timing of this escalation and the nature of the civilian targets announced by the Houthi militia confirm once again that its criminal operations are linked to external calculations and agendas, and to attempts to expand the circle of tension in the region and harm global energy security and international trade routes, in a context that serves the interests of the Iranian regime and its efforts to use the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb as a pressure and blackmail tool against the international community.

The Yemeni government warned the terrorist Houthi militia against continuing to gamble with the fortunes of the Yemeni people and involving them in wars that have no connection to their national interests, without learning from the lessons of the past and the destruction that these adventures have brought to national infrastructure, including the destruction of Sana'a Airport, the ports of Hodeidah, and the assets of Yemenia Airlines.

The Yemeni government accused the Houthis of exporting crises, while affirming at the same time that state institutions have become more capable today of fulfilling their national responsibilities, and that the armed forces and security agencies are proceeding to deter the crimes and violations of this militia, protect Yemeni lands, territorial waters, and airspace, safeguard national interests, and confront any threat to the country's sovereignty, security, and stability.

Yemen, Saudi Ship, Houthi Crimes