The Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen has issued a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and sent direct warnings to vessels traversing the Red Sea.
According to AFP on July 22, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) confirmed that the Houthis transmitted warning messages to ships in the region.
The maritime security firm Neptune P2P Group reported that the warning was captured by a vessel passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on July 20.
The Houthis warned via the VHF channel 16, used for international distress and safety communications, that “Saudi vessels are prohibited from operating” and that failure to comply could result in being targeted.
While the Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, they did not specify how it would be enforced. So far, there have been no confirmed instances of actual attacks on vessels related to this blockade.
Some ships have altered their routes, but traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains largely unaffected. According to maritime logistics tracking firm Kpler, 44 vessels passed through the strait on the day the blockade was announced, and 29 on the following day. In the five days prior to the blockade announcement, daily traffic ranged from 30 to 53 vessels.
However, if the Houthis do carry out attacks, it could significantly disrupt oil and cargo transport through the Red Sea. With traffic through the Strait of Hormuz already constrained, Saudi Arabia is utilizing the western port of Yanbu as an alternative export route.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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