Yemen’s Ansar Allah, or Houthi, movement has denied reports that the Bab al-Mandab Strait has been closed, saying that restrictions apply only to Saudi vessels, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam said. "Despite some claims, the Bab al-Mandab Strait has not been closed. On July 20, Yahya Saria, the Houthis’ military spokesperson, announced a ban on Saudi maritime navigation. In response, the Saudi-led coalition said it had taken measures to protect vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Houthis later said they had launched missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers for violating the naval blockade.