Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, announced on Sunday that the group has moved from the stage of presenting demands to practical action in its confrontation with Saudi Arabia and is pursuing a new policy titled “siege for siege, escalation for escalation.”

Al-Mashat said: “Our options will be intensified, God willing, and will take on more painful forms, and even if we lose our lives, we will not back down from our rights.”

He said the Houthis want an end to what he called the “Saudi Arabian siege,” the reopening of airports and ports, the return of Yemen’s resources, and the receiving of compensation from Riyadh.

Al-Mashat also said: “Shipping and international trade in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab are secure and will not face any danger from Yemen, with the exception of ships belonging to the Saudi enemy.”

These remarks were made by al-Mashat in a speech marking the twelfth anniversary of the Houthis’ takeover of Sanaa on September 21.