Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they have blocked the movement of 48 Saudi oil tankers since July 20 and attacked eight others, according to a statement by military spokesperson Yahya Saree reported on August 19, 2026. Saree said the actions followed a Houthi-declared ban on Saudi maritime traffic.

The spokesperson said five of the eight targeted tankers were in the Red Sea, while three were in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. He also claimed 34 tankers were forced to turn back in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, with another 14 turned back in the Red Sea.

Saree further claimed nine military operations targeting oil supplies in Yanbu, Najran, Jizan, Abha and Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, alongside 14 operations against Saudi military presence and equipment in several areas. He said the Houthis seek the lifting of the blockade, an end to aggression, payment of public employees’ salaries, withdrawal of foreign forces and control of Yemen’s resources by Yemenis. The report noted no immediate Saudi response.