Yemeni government signals military offensive as Houthi blockade escalates Red Sea tensions

The UN-recognised Yemeni government has declared its patience exhausted, signalling readiness for a military offensive against Houthi forces following the group’s imposition of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Defence Minister Taher al-Aqili stated the government is prepared to end what it terms the “Houthi coup,” as recent clashes between government troops and rebels in Hodeidah suggest the Red Sea coast may become the focal point of any renewed conflict.

The escalation began on Monday when Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the blockade, accusing Riyadh of blockading rebel-controlled areas in Yemen. By Wednesday evening, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Laylia, using drones and missiles. Saudi state media confirmed the Encelia was hit, resulting in a fire at the bow, though all crew members were reported safe. The Saudi-led coalition condemned the actions as a blatant violation of international law and acts of maritime piracy.

Reactions among Yemenis in Houthi-controlled areas are sharply divided. Supporters view the embargo as a necessary assertion of sovereignty against Saudi hegemony. Mohammed Ali, a 26-year-old supporter in Sanaa, described the move as a long-overdue response to perceived suffocation by Riyadh, expressing confidence in Yemen’s ability to withstand military retaliation. However, opponents and neutral civilians fear the decision will reignite a four-year period of relative quiet, leading to fuel shortages, soaring prices, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Economic precarity is a central concern for ordinary citizens. Abdulla Yahya, a construction worker in Sanaa, highlighted the difficulty of affording essential goods such as flour, rice, and cooking oil, noting that stockpiling would cost approximately 55,000 Yemeni riyals. With nearly 20 million people in Yemen requiring humanitarian aid according to United Nations estimates, many fear that a return to full-scale war will make survival significantly harder for families already struggling with inflation and disrupted supply chains.

Political analysts suggest the blockade may inadvertently accelerate the Houthis’ downfall. Saddam Al Huraibi, a Yemeni political analyst, described the Houthi resolution to fight as unwise and reckless, arguing that the move could serve as a wake-up call for Riyadh to pursue a decisive military solution. Meanwhile, critics like Mohammed Karim, a resident of Hodeidah, characterise the blockade as an act of subservience to Iran, questioning why such measures were not taken during previous years of conflict and suggesting the group is acting on Iranian directives amid ongoing US strikes on Iranian infrastructure.