Houthis mark 2014 Yemen takeover, warn Saudi amid Red Sea shipping tensions

The Houthis marked the 12th anniversary of their 2014 takeover of Yemen with a stern warning to Saudi Arabia, pledging "costly escalatory measures" against the kingdom's heartland. Defence Minister Gen Nasir Al-Atifi and Chief of Gen Staff Gen Yusuf Al-Madani vowed continued allegiance to leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, stating Houthi forces would target Saudi-linked vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until they "taste the same blockade" imposed on Yemen.

This follows weekend Houthi missile and drone attacks on Riyadh that caused a fire near the international airport, prompting Saudi retaliation with F-15 and Typhoon airstrikes on Yemeni provinces Al-Jawf, Marib and Taiz. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree reported Saudi has conducted over 700 airstrikes in Yemen since hostilities restarted July 13 after a projectile hit Sanaa's airport, blocking an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation.

For Nigerians, escalation in this critical Red Sea chokepoint risks disrupting global shipping lanes - 12% of world trade passes through Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Prolonged conflict could increase freight costs for Nigerian imports and affect oil prices, given the strait's role in Middle East crude transport to global markets.

Will you consider how Red Sea instability might affect your business costs or household budget through potential shipping delays or fuel price changes?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/21/houthis-mark-2014-yemen-revolution-as-saudi-strike-back/