Pakistan, July 24 -- Yemen's Houthi movement said the Bab al-Mandab Strait remains open to international shipping, adding that its declared maritime blockade applies only to Saudi Arabia. The statement sought to counter reports suggesting the waterway had been fully closed.

Houthi chief negotiator and spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam made the remarks in a post on X. He said reports claiming the strait was completely closed to navigation were inaccurate.

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According to Abdul Salam, the maritime blockade targets Saudi Arabia in response to what the Houthis describe as the blockade of Yemen. He said the measure was intended to pressure Riyadh into accepting a settlemen...