The United Arab Emirates has issued a strong condemnation regarding recent threats from the Houthi group to establish a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the global community to uphold United Nations Security Council resolutions 2216 and 2722, emphasizing that freedom of navigation is a fundamental right protected under international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The UAE reiterated its unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom, pledging full support for any measures Saudi Arabia deems necessary to protect its national security and regional stability.

This escalation comes as shipping companies have already begun feeling the impact, with two tankers carrying Saudi crude oil opting to divert their course in the Red Sea following the Houthi warnings. The group has explicitly threatened to target any vessels handling Saudi oil, turning the Bab el-Mandeb strait—a vital global energy corridor—into a flashpoint for conflict. While U.S. leadership has stated that the strait remains open and warned of consequences should the Houthis attempt to fully close it, these threats mark a concerning new dimension in the ongoing regional tensions.