The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the Houthi rebels’ threats against maritime traffic to and from Saudi Arabia, issuing a formal statement on Thursday, 23 July 2026. The statement reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to advance regional peace and stability.
Maritime Traffic Continues Amid Tensions
Despite recent Houthi attacks on two tankers linked to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, commercial shipping has continued largely unimpeded. However, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to its lowest level in two months, according to maritime data firm Kpler.
By 5:00 p.m. local time (Greece), 18 bulk carriers had passed through the Bab el Mandeb Strait—the narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. That number rose to 26 over the course of the previous day.
Two super-tankers that loaded crude oil in Saudi Arabia—one of which briefly altered course following Houthi threats before resuming its original route—exited the Red Sea today via the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Both vessels are en route to China.
Greek Military Presence in Yanbu
Since 2021, Greece has deployed a PATRIOT surface-to-air missile battery in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia (ELDYSΑ). The unit forms part of Greece’s longstanding defense cooperation with the Kingdom.
Full Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs unequivocally condemns the Houthi threats against maritime navigation to and from Saudi Arabia. Protecting the rights and freedoms of navigation—under international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)—remains a fundamental priority.
Greece recognizes the decisive role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in bolstering regional security and stability, as well as global economic stability. We remain committed to further strengthening our strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, with the aim of promoting peace and stability.
Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path toward a lasting political solution in Yemen. Greece reiterates its full support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to achieve a political settlement through inclusive negotiations—led and owned by the Yemeni people themselves.”
Houthi Claims and Context
Earlier, the Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a “military operation” targeting the tankers Encelia and Layla, accusing them of violating a naval blockade imposed on Saudi Arabia. A Saudi official confirmed that the Encelia, owned by a Saudi company, was targeted and sustained fire damage.