Sanaa: The Houthi rebels have denied reports of charging fees for ships passing through the Strait of Bab El Mandeb.
According to Thai News Agency, Yemen's humanitarian operations coordination center, established by the Houthi group in Sanaa, issued a statement on Saturday denying reports that the group planned to charge fees for shipping through the Bab El Mandeb Strait, a strategically important trade route connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The statement indicated that the maritime safety services provided by the group are completely free of charge and confirmed that all vessels not subject to the previously announced ban can safely pass through the strait. Furthermore, the statement provided an email address where commercial vessels can directly request permission to pass through the area.
The denial of the report comes after the Houthi group announced a ban on commercial shipping involving Saudi Arabia on July 20, along with a warning to international shipping companies that any vessel trading with Saudi ports could be targeted for military attack. A Houthi spokesman stated on July 24 that the Bab El Mandeb Strait was not closed and that the latest maritime measures were limited to vessels with connections to Saudi Arabia. This strait, located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, is a vital shipping route for goods and energy worldwide.