### [2026-07-20](/feed/2026/07/20/index.md) ##### Middle Eastern crisis # Houthi-controlled Yemen declares a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia effective immediately, after accusing it of an "aggressive siege" against Yemen for nearly 12 years. ### Sources: 1. [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/yemens-houthis-declare-naval-blockade-of-saudi-arabia-what-to-know) 2. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/20/iran-houthi-yemen-saudi-arabia.html) 3. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemens-houthis-declare-naval-blockade-against-saudi-arabia-statement-2026-07-20/) ### Related: 1. [The U.S. State Department approves a potential US$1.96 billion deal in arms sales to Saudi Arabia amidst the current Iran war and potential re-escalation with the Houthis. ](/feed/2026/07/15/the-us-state-department-approves-a-potential-us-196-billion-deal-in-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-amidst-the-current-ira.md) _Context: Middle Eastern crisis, Saudi Arabia, nearly 12 years_ 2. [The Houthi-led government accuses Saudi Arabia of an airstrike on a runway at Sanaa International Airport in Houthi-controlled Yemen, which Yemen's internationally recognized government says was to stop an Iranian Mahan Air flight that was returning the Houthi delegation from the funeral of Ali Khamenei. ](/feed/2026/07/13/the-houthi-led-government-accuses-saudi-arabia-of-an-airstrike-on-a-runway-at-sanaa-international-airport-in-houthi-cont.md) _Context: Houthi-controlled Yemen, Middle Eastern crisis, Saudi Arabia, Yemen_ 3. [According to data from Kpler, three oil supertankers from Saudi Arabia carrying 6 million barrels of crude oil were seen transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. ](/feed/2026/06/18/according-to-data-from-kpler-three-oil-supertankers-from-saudi-arabia-carrying-6-million-barrels-of-crude-oil-were-seen.md) _Context: Middle Eastern crisis, Saudi Arabia_ 4. [Bahrain imposes a nighttime maritime curfew from 6:00{{nbsp}}pm to 4:00{{nbsp}}am to restrict sea traffic and strengthen coastal security following reported attacks attributed to Iran. [https:--today.lorientlejour.com-article-1501346-bahrain-announces-curfew-for-maritime-traffic-ministry.html (AFP via "L'Orient Today")]***Ten Kuwaiti soldiers are injured in a new wave of missile and drone attacks on Kuwait. [https:--saudigazette.com.sa-article-660088-world-10-kuwaiti-soldiers-injured-in-missile-and-drone-attacks ("Saudi Gazette")]*The foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, meet in Islamabad to express their "full support" for potential Iran–United States talks hosted by Pakistan. [https:--www.france24.com-en-live-news-20260329-pakistan-hosts-saudi-turkey-egypt-for-talks-on-mideast-war (AFP via France 24)]*United States president Donald Trump tells "Financial Times" that the U.S. could seize Kharg Island and "take the oil" in Iran, although "a deal could be made fairly quickly". [https:--www.ft.com-content-3bd9fb6c-2985-4d24-b86b-23b7884031f5 ("Financial Times")] [https:--english.news.cn-northamerica-20260330-e0958790470e42ccaf54eff1aaa783f8-c.html (Xinhua)]*An Iranian missile hits the Makhteshim chemical plant in southern Israel. A warning for the leakage of hazardous materials is issued for the immediate vicinity of the site. [https:--www.reuters.com-world-middle-east-adama-chemicals-plant-southern-israel-hit-by-iranian-missile-or-debris-2026-03-29- (Reuters)]*A visual evidence released by "The New York Times" shows that a sports hall in Lamerd in the Fars province of Iran was hit by a untested short-range Precision Strike Missile during the first day of the war on February 28, 2026. [https:--www.nytimes.com-2026-03-29-world-middleeast-us-precision-strike-missile-iran-lamerd.html ("The New York Times")]An Indonesian peacekeeper of the UNIFIL mission is killed and a second one is critically injured when a projectile explodes at their position near Aadshit al-Qusayr, Nabatieh Governorate. [https:--www.timesofisrael.com-indonesian-peacekeeper-killed-in-lebanon-explosion-2nd-critically-injured- ("Times of Israel")]2026 Lamerd sports hall attack](/feed/2026/03/29/bahrain-imposes-a-nighttime-maritime-curfew-from-6-00-nbsp-pm-to-4-00-nbsp-am-to-restrict-sea-traffic-and-strengthen.md) _Context: Middle Eastern crisis, Saudi Arabia_ 5. [The Houthis launch a ballistic missile from their territory in Yemen towards Israel, signifying the group's entrance in the war. The Israeli military says that the missile was successfully intercepted and no injuries were reported. A second attack, also without damage, is reported hours later. ](/feed/2026/03/28/the-houthis-launch-a-ballistic-missile-from-their-territory-in-yemen-towards-israel-signifying-the-group-s-entrance-in.md) _Context: Houthi-controlled Yemen, Middle Eastern crisis, Yemen_ 6. [Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercept and destroy multiple drones targeting gas and energy facilities in the Eastern Province, with no damage reported. In Riyadh, a refinery is attacked by ballistic missiles. ](/feed/2026/03/18/saudi-arabia-s-air-defenses-intercept-and-destroy-multiple-drones-targeting-gas-and-energy-facilities-in-the-eastern-pro.md) _Context: Middle Eastern crisis, Saudi Arabia_ 7. [ The United States Central Command confirms that a U.S. service member has died of wounds sustained after an Iranian attack on a base in Saudi Arabia on March 1, bringing the confirmed death toll among U.S. forces to seven since the start of the conflict. ](/feed/2026/03/8/the-united-states-central-command-confirms-that-a-us-service-member-has-died-of-wounds-sustained-after-an-iranian-att.md) _Context: Middle Eastern crisis, Saudi Arabia_ 8. [Iran launches missiles at Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE state that they have intercepted Iranian missiles. The U.S. embassies in Bahrain and Qatar instruct their personnel to shelter in place. ](/feed/2026/02/28/iran-launches-missiles-at-bahrain-jordan-kuwait-saudi-arabia-and-the-united-arab-emirates-uae-bahrain-jordan-ku.md) _Context: Middle Eastern crisis, Saudi Arabia_ 9. [The Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen claims that Southern Transitional Council (STC) president Aidarus al-Zoubaidi has fled to the United Arab Emirates through Somaliland. ](/feed/2026/01/8/the-saudi-arabia-led-coalition-in-yemen-claims-that-southern-transitional-council-stc-president-aidarus-al-zoubaidi-ha.md) _Context: Saudi Arabia, Yemen_ 10. [Israel intercepts a ballistic missile that the Houthis in Yemen claim to have fired at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. ](/feed/2025/03/21/israel-intercepts-a-ballistic-missile-that-the-houthis-in-yemen-claim-to-have-fired-at-the-ben-gurion-international-airp.md) _Context: Middle Eastern crisis, Yemen_