The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center issued a statement refuting allegations that the group intends to charge vessels for passage through the Red Sea. The organization characterized its oversight of maritime transit as a voluntary and complimentary service, cautioning shipping companies against making payments to unauthorized parties claiming to represent the group or the center.
The denial followed a Reuters report citing regional sources indicating that the Iran-aligned Houthis were evaluating the possibility of implementing transit fees on the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait. According to those sources, the proposal had been discussed during a Houthi delegation visit to Tehran earlier in July, with Iranian advisers allegedly assisting in establishing a fee-collection mechanism. Yemen’s foreign minister-designate characterized such potential actions as an attempt to replicate the Iranian approach to regulating the Strait of Hormuz.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait represents a critical maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, serving as a major conduit for global trade between Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The strait has assumed heightened importance following disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, particularly for Saudi Arabian exports. A previous United Nations expert assessment suggested that the Houthis may have collected unconfirmed informal payments from shipping agents in 2024, though maritime traffic volumes have yet to return to pre-2023 levels.
The group has conducted an extended campaign targeting Red Sea shipping that commenced in 2023 before pausing following a ceasefire agreement reached last October. In response to escalating maritime security concerns, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a 14-nation coalition dedicated to safeguarding navigation freedom throughout the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
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