Yemen Forces Intercept Eight Saudi Tankers, Vowing Continued Maritime Action

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Yemen‘s armed forces have announced the successful interception of eight Saudi oil tankers, with military spokesperson Yahya Saree emphasizing that the forces will continue their siege operations against Saudi Arabia and reach its ships wherever possible.

Saree assured the Yemeni people that the nation’s armed forces will spare no effort in lifting the blockade and reclaiming all their rights. This action follows Yemen’s previous declaration of a maritime blockade against Riyadh, implemented in response to Saudi Arabia’s siege of Sanaa Airport and adhering to the principle of reciprocity in blockades.

In response to this development, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense hosted a meeting on Thursday, August 5, 2021, attended by chiefs of staff and representatives from friendly nations and the European Union. The meeting focused on discussing Saudi Arabia’s initiative to establish a multinational maritime defense coalition.

According to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Defense, 14 participating countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, the Yemeni internationally recognized government, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia, issued a joint statement supporting the multinational maritime defense coalition plan and welcoming the consensus reached on its establishment arrangements.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense statement claimed that this initiative was presented as part of efforts to enhance maritime security, protect international maritime passages, and confront threats targeting maritime transport and global trade.