Yemen : Reuters Houthis Consider Imposing Fees on Ships in Bab al-Mandeb

Sanaa — Yemen’s Houthi movement is weighing the introduction of fees on commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, regional sources told Reuters, just a week after the group declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.

According to the sources, the Houthis are studying plans to levy charges on most maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. No timeline has yet been set for implementation.

Earlier on Sunday, the European Union’s naval mission “Aspides” described the Houthis’ escalation including threats to shipping and the attack on the commercial vessel MV Encelia  as a major step in the group’s strategy of using maritime pressure.

In a briefing to Sky News Arabia, Aspides suggested the Houthis’ operations aim to exert political and military leverage to secure demands such as reopening ports and airports under their control.

The EU has already warned that the Houthis’ threats to impose a blockade on Saudi Arabia pose a “serious escalation” and a danger to regional stability. Aspides reaffirmed its commitment to protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding international waters.

Despite heightened security concerns, the mission noted that commercial traffic has not declined, with an average of 43 vessels crossing daily. Aspides forces continue to escort and safeguard merchant ships within their operational capacity.