Saudi Arabia has condemned an announcement by Yemen's Houthis of a maritime blockade of the kingdom, as the group threatened the top oil exporter's ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement the Gulf monarchy's foreign ministry said late on Monday that it "expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strongest condemnation of the statements made by the so-called military spokesman of the terrorist Houthi militia... imposing a maritime blockade on the Kingdom," adding that Riyadh "continues to support the brotherly Yemeni people and their legitimate government".

It came after Yemen's Houthi group announced a maritime embargo of Riyadh, after Saudi Arabia and the group traded fire last week for the first time in years.

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

The coalition said in a statement it began to implement safety measures for its ships passing through Bab al Mandeb Strait.

​​​​​​​Last week, the Houthi group accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out an air strike on the Sanaa airport and launched missiles toward Saudi territory, breaking years of calm.

While Riyadh did not comment on the Houthi accusation, Yemen’s internationally recognised government claimed responsibility for the strike, saying it targeted the airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.