The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Monday that it will respond to Houthis' threats to ships with "force" after the Yemeni group declared a naval blockade on the kingdom.

The coalition said in a statement that it has begun to implement safety measures for its ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

In a statement from Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry, the country also condemned the Houthis' naval blockade and called its accusations that Saudi Arabia is "besieging" the Yemeni people "baseless".