Houthis Vow To Block All Shipments Linked To Israel Through Declared Zone

Yemeni Houthi movement leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said that no company will be allowed to transport goods linked to Israel through areas they consider part of their operational zone at sea.

In a televised speech on July 10, the Houthi leader said that it is not allowed for any company to move goods for what he called the “Israeli enemy” through the declared zone. He added that their position on this remains unchanged.

This statement came shortly after the group carried out two deadly attacks in the Red Sea this week. The Houthis sank two ships and killed four seafarers. These were the first deadly attacks after several months of calm in the region.

Per industry sources, the shipping insurance costs for the Red Sea have more than doubled in recent days due to the recent attacks. The Red Sea is a key route for transporting oil and other commodities, but vessel traffic has dropped significantly since the Houthis began targeting ships off Yemen’s coast in November 2023.

The Houthis have said their attacks are in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza. From November 2023 to December 2024, the group attacked more than 100 ships in the region.

In May this year, the United States announced a deal with the Houthis to stop its bombing campaign in exchange for an end to attacks on shipping. However, the Houthis clarified that the agreement did not include ships linked to Israel, which they still consider targets.

The Houthi leader also repeated that their decision to target any ship they believe is connected to Israel in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea will continue.

References: Reuters, timesofisrael

Source: Maritime Shipping News