Yemen's Houthis to Blockade 'Enemy Ships' in the Red Sea
Houthi declaration escalates Red Sea tensions, threatening vital global trade and energy supply routes.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement has declared a complete blockade on "enemy ships" in the Red Sea, vowing to treat any vessel associated with Israel as a military target. The announcement marks a significant escalation in regional tensions following renewed direct strikes between Israel and Iran.
Brigadier General Yahya Al Saree, the group's military spokesman, issued the declaration in a televised statement on Monday. "We declare a complete ban on enemy navigation in the Red Sea and we consider any Zionist movements to be military targets for our forces," Al Saree said. He further warned that the group would "respond to escalation with escalation," intensifying operations in conjunction with what he termed the "axis of jihad and resistance."
Strategic Chokepoints Under Threat
The Houthi threat adds a new layer of complexity to an already volatile security situation. While Iran has previously disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil flows—the Houthi declaration signals a potential attempt to close the Bab Al Mandeb strait, the narrow gateway at the southern end of the Red Sea.
Together, these two strategic waterways form a critical corridor linking Middle Eastern energy exports to Europe and global markets. Experts warn that if both straits are compromised simultaneously, the consequences could ripple far beyond the region, severely impacting global supply chains, energy markets, and shipping costs.
The Geography of Risk
The Bab Al Mandeb strait is a 29km-wide passage separating Yemen from Djibouti and Eritrea. It serves as a funnel for about 10% of global trade, including vital oil, gas, and container traffic moving between Asia and Europe. The waterway is split into two channels by Mayyun Island: a narrower eastern channel for smaller vessels and a wider western channel used by large commercial ships.
Maritime analysts note that ships entering the strait must slow down and navigate predictable lanes, bringing them within range of Yemen's coastline. This geography makes the area particularly vulnerable to attacks from small boats, shore-based missiles, and drones.
History of Maritime Aggression
This latest declaration builds upon the Houthi campaign that began during the Red Sea crisis of 2023 and 2024. Over the past two years, the group has demonstrated a sustained ability to strike maritime targets using a diverse arsenal including drones, naval mines, anti-ship missiles, and explosive boats. These previous actions forced major international shipping companies to divert their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transit times and costs.
The timing of this new blockade follows a major escalation in direct hostilities. Despite US naval intervention and diplomatic efforts, Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran on Monday in retaliation for overnight Iranian missile barrages. These exchanges represent the first large-scale direct strikes between the two nations since the April ceasefire began, shattering months of relative restraint.
Global Implications
The potential closure of both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al Mandeb creates a scenario where the maritime artery connecting the Gulf to the Mediterranean is severed from end to end.
"If the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, oil struggles to leave the Gulf," maritime security analysts observe. "If shipping through Bab Al Mandeb is disrupted, energy struggles to reach Europe. If both are affected, the route breaks entirely."
As the US maintains its naval presence in the Gulf, attention now shifts to whether coalition forces will deploy to the southern Red Sea to counter the Houthi threat. With the Houthis vowing that their operations will "intensify in line with the battle," the shipping industry faces a period of heightened uncertainty and risk.