Houthis impose restrictions on vessels associated with Israel in Red Sea
The Houthis in Yemen have declared a ban on ships connected to Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom from sailing in nearby seas. They’re doing this to strengthen their military efforts, which they claim are in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
The Houthis sent official notices of this ban to shipping insurance companies and firms operating in the region. This is the first time they’ve communicated such a ban to the shipping industry in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea. The ban applies to ships owned either entirely or partly by Israeli, American, or British individuals or entities, as well as those sailing under their flags.
This announcement comes amid ongoing Houthi attacks that have disrupted international trade along the quickest shipping route between Europe and Asia. In response, US and British forces have launched counterattacks to deter the rebels.
The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have been attacking ships in the region since November, citing Israel’s military actions in Gaza as justification. They have vowed to continue their campaign until Israel ceases its war.
The Houthi’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center sent formal notices of the ban to shipping insurers and firms operating in the region on Thursday, the Reuters news agency quoted a statement as saying. The Houthis’ communication, the first to the shipping industry outlining a formalized ban in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea, came in the form of two notices, Reuters said. It affects vessels wholly or partially owned by Israeli, American, and British individuals or entities, as well as those sailing under their flags. The warning came amid continuing Houthi attacks that have disrupted international trade on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, and counterattacks by US and British forces hoping to deter the rebels. The Iran-aligned Houthis have launched repeated attacks on ships in the region since November. They said the attacks were a response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have killed almost 30,000 people in four months. They have promised to continue their campaign in solidarity with Palestinians until Israel stops the war.
The Houthis’ communication, the first to the shipping industry outlining a formalized ban in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea, came in the form of two notices, Reuters said.
It affects vessels wholly or partially owned by Israeli, American, and British individuals or entities, as well as those sailing under their flags.
The warning came amid continuing Houthi attacks that have disrupted international trade on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, and counterattacks by US and British forces hoping to deter the rebels.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have launched repeated attacks on ships in the region since November.
They said the attacks were a response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have killed almost 30,000 people in four months. They have promised to continue their campaign in solidarity with Palestinians until Israel stops the war.
On Thursday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi also said the group had introduced “submarine weapons” in their attacks.
Recently, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi stated that they have introduced “submarine weapons” in their attacks, emphasizing that their operations in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden are ongoing and effective.
Since taking control of the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen in 2014, the Houthis have faced opposition from a Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government. Despite this, the Houthis have maintained their control and have even strengthened their military capabilities over time.
