Houthi-Aligned Yemeni Armed Forces Announce Ban on Israeli Ships in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: A Return to Maritime Interdiction Tactics
A resumption of Houthi attacks could affect not only Israeli-flagged vessels but also those perceived as supporting Israel, potentially leading to renewed drone and missile strikes in the region.
YEMEN - On March 11, 2025, Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, issued a statement outlining the Yemeni Armed Forces' position and actions in response to the expiration of a deadline previously set by Sayyid Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi.
The deadline aimed to encourage mediators to press Israel to reopen crossings and permit the entry of food and medicine into the Gaza Strip. The statement details the following measures:
The Yemeni Armed Forces will resume a ban on the passage of all Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, effective immediately upon the issuance of the statement.
Any Israeli ship attempting to violate this ban will be targeted within the designated operational zones.
The ban will remain in effect until the crossings to the Gaza Strip are reopened and the delivery of aid, food, and medicine is permitted.
The statement also expresses support for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, affirming the Yemeni Armed Forces' commitment to supporting the Palestinian resistance. These measures are presented as a response to the unmet demands for humanitarian access to Gaza.
The statement issued by Yahya Saree indicates a significant escalation in the Houthis' maritime strategy. By announcing the resumption of a ban on the passage of all Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden—along with a clear intent to target any Israeli vessel violating this restriction—the group signals a return to aggressive interdiction tactics.
This approach may extend to merchant vessels perceived as linked to Israel, consistent with historical patterns where Houthi attacks in the region have also targeted vessels not directly associated with Israel, either due to perceived affiliations or misidentification.
This escalation follows a period during which a deadline set by Sayyid Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi for mediators to secure the reopening of Gaza crossings and the delivery of humanitarian aid expired without success. The failure of these diplomatic efforts appears to have prompted the Houthis to revert to direct action, a pattern consistent with their previous behavior of targeting maritime traffic.
Historically, the Houthis have shown a willingness to target merchant vessels in the region as part of their campaign to pressure Israel and its allies. The designation of an operational zone and the explicit threat to target Israeli ships suggest preparedness to resume attacks.
This could affect not only Israeli-flagged vessels but also those perceived as supporting Israel, potentially leading to renewed drone and missile strikes or the deployment of armed boats—tactics used previously to disrupt shipping lanes.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait's role as a critical chokepoint for global trade highlights the potential for significant economic and logistical impacts if these threats are implemented.
The Houthis' commitment to maintaining the ban until humanitarian conditions in Gaza improve reinforces the likelihood of sustained military engagement. This stance may serve as leverage, posing risks to international shipping and eliciting responses from global naval forces, including those currently patrolling the area.
Additionally, the statement's supportive rhetoric toward the Palestinian resistance reflects the Houthis' view of these actions as part of a broader ideological struggle. If their demands remain unmet, this could embolden further escalation, potentially leading to heightened tensions and instability in the region in the near term.
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