Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia following a series of retaliatory attacks between the two sides last week. The announcement was made by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sari, who said the blockade would take effect immediately under the principle of 'an eye for an eye.' The statement was reported by Al Jazeera on Monday.

Sari accused Saudi Arabia of maintaining an unacceptable blockade on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport and said such actions would no longer be tolerated. He stated that the blockade would be met with a blockade and that every act of escalation would be answered with greater intensity. The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia was responsible for an attack on Sanaa airport last week, prompting their retaliatory strike on Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Sari added that Yemen’s armed forces were fully prepared for all possible scenarios and warned that any reckless Saudi move would be met with an appropriate response. He also called on Yemenis to mobilize and support fighters on the battlefield.