Yemen: Yemen's Houthi group claimed Saturday that eight Saudi oil tankers were forced to reroute from the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Cape of Good Hope because of its maritime blockade. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced on US social media company X that the diversion is part of the group's blockade imposed on Saudi Arabian vessels.

According to Anadolu Agency, the maritime tensions have prompted Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries to establish a multinational maritime defense coalition. This coalition aims to ensure the safety of navigation, international trade, and energy supply routes in critical regions such as the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The move reflects the escalating threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, following the Houthi group's declaration of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20. The Houthis have since claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi-linked vessels.

Riyadh has expressed its commitment to safeguarding maritime traffic and addressing threats against international navigation. The formation of the defense coalition underscores the broader regional and international concerns regarding the stability and security of vital maritime routes affected by the Houthi blockade.