Yemeni military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a televised statement on Thursday that the armed forces of the Arab country will continue retaliatory naval operations against Saudi targets and maintain Sana’a’s “siege for a siege” equation, following the operation targeting the two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

He said the operation was carried out “within the context of breaking the unjust and oppressive siege imposed by the Saudi enemy on our dear people for 12 years.”

He added that it was intended to affirm “the equation of ‘siege for a siege’” and Yemen's right to confront “Saudi-American injustice and tyranny” and reclaim its wealth and legitimate rights.

According to the statement, the operation targeted two Saudi oil tankers identified as ENCELIA and LAYLA, which the Armed Forces had found in violation of a retaliatory blockade imposed in the Red Sea.

The statement said the strikes involved “a number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones.”

It added that the strikes were “precise” and noted that they resulted in “a large fire” breaking out on both vessels.

Saree also stated that, during the same operation, they forced “approximately 10 ships to retreat and return.”

The statement did not provide further details about the vessels or the circumstances surrounding their withdrawal.

Amid Sana’s insistence on acting against Riyadh’s aggressive measures, Saree warned the kingdom against carrying out attacks on Yemen.

“We affirm to the Saudi enemy that any folly or aggression targeting our country will be met with large-scale operations deep within its territory, and the consequences will be dire for it.”

The statement concluded by hailing supportive public demonstrations in Yemen and reiterating the armed forces' stated objective of ending the Saudi blockade.

Yemen on Monday declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia effective immediately.

Saree said that a ban on Saudi-linked maritime navigation “has entered into force from the moment of issuing this statement.”

Saree warned that any Saudi escalation would be met with a “comprehensive and severe response.”