The Houthi militia, supported by Iran, has expressed dismay at the widespread international consensus rejecting its recent escalation in the Red Sea, which the group claims is an effort to break a "Saudi blockade." The militia announced early Thursday that it targeted two Saudi oil tankers, "ENCELIA" and "LAYLA," with missiles and drones, alleging they violated a maritime navigation ban imposed on Saudi ports.
The Saudi Ministry of Transport confirmed that the vessel "ENCELIA," belonging to one of its companies, was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea. A fire erupted in the forward section of the ship, but all crew members were reported safe. This attack followed threats issued by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, reportedly in response to the legitimate government and coalition preventing direct flights from Iran to Sana'a Airport, which is under Houthi control.
The escalation initiated by the Houthi militia against Riyadh, carried out by attacking two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, has been met with unprecedented regional, Arab, and international condemnation from various countries and entities, causing significant displeasure within the militia. Houthi leaders and affiliated institutions issued statements and declarations denouncing the international positions opposing the escalation and the militia's attacks at sea, deeming them a "bias towards the Saudi position."
The foreign ministry of the unrecognized Houthi government claimed in a statement that the international condemnations of the militia's escalation were "formulated in a uniform manner and distributed to those countries by the Americans or the Saudis." The Houthi ministry, reiterating its claims of a "Saudi blockade," attempted to downplay its shock at the international stance by noting that the militia "does not expect a positive stance from those who have betrayed the cause of Palestine and the suffering of the Palestinian people."
Meanwhile, Houthi leader Mohammed Al-Farah attempted to provide another justification for the international consensus, alleging that the militia is being paid to act. He suggested that if the militia possessed financial resources, international positions would have been in their favor. These justifications reflect the extent of the shock and surprise the militia experienced from the international reaction to its recent escalation. With the exception of Iran, no other country or international entity has issued a statement supporting the militia's claims justifying its actions.
In addition to the international consensus condemning the Houthi escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning against Iran and its proxy in Yemen, the Houthi militia, in response to the militia's attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, referenced U.S. actions against the Houthis last year due to their threats to maritime trade and navigation. While Trump considered the Houthi militia's non-involvement in the U.S.-Iran conflict a sign of "great responsibility," he expressed disappointment over the return of Houthi attacks at sea, specifically mentioning the targeting of two Saudi ships. Trump threatened, "Let this post serve as a clear announcement: if they do this again (attacks on ships), the United States will hold Iran responsible, because the Houthis operate as proxies for Iran." The U.S. President vowed to impose "severe military punishment on Iran, and of course on the Houthis themselves," expressing "great disappointment" in the Houthi militia, as they had "acted professionally and intelligently until now."
