Donald Trump sends warning to Houthi rebels over Red Sea blockade | World | News
Donald Trump has sent a chilling warning to Houthi rebels after they announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. The US President said his administration would “take care of things” if the blockade goes ahead. The Houthis announced the blockade in retaliation for an air strike on a Houthi-controlled airport in the Yemeni capital last week.
Asked about the move, Mr Trump said: “So far, it hasn’t happened. It might happen, but we take care of things. If something like that happens, we take care of it.” He added: “We’ve had no problem with the Houthis. They’ve had no problem with us for a long period of time, including during this conflict.” Mr Trump made the comments after a reporter asked for his thoughts on the Houthi rebel group’s announcement of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. The move could potentially see the Bab al Mandab Strait closed to maritime traffic, placing further pressure on shipping routes as vessels already face disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iran-backed Yemeni group has also warned shipping companies not to load or discharge cargo at Saudi Arabian ports.
In an email sent to multiple shipping companies, the Houthis said: “Vessels are banned from loading or discharging cargo at or from any Saudi ports.”
The group added: “We strongly recommend that your company exercise due diligence and the utmost care in all its dealings. Any such activity would expose the violating vessels to sanctions.”
The Houthis warned that ships which defied the blockade would become “subject to targeting in any location”.
The blockade further threatens to disrupt global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf, with the Bab el Mandeb Strait providing a key shipping route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude for China and India have already made U-turns in the Red Sea this week, according to shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group.
The vessels had been heading towards the Bab el Mandeb Strait but were instead tracked heading towards the Suez Canal.
The latest tensions come as shipping around the Strait of Hormuz has also faced disruption amid renewed fighting between the US and Iran.
At least 59 commercial ships have come under attack in and around the Persian Gulf since the war began, leaving 17 seafarers dead, according to the UN’s shipping agency.
