Yemen's Houthi movement denies plans to charge passage fees for Bab al-Mandeb strait

Yemen's Houthi movement has vehemently denied allegations that it intends to impose passage fees on ships transiting the vital Bab al-Mandeb strait. The accusation was previously leveled by Yemen's internationally recognized government.

The Houthi-affiliated Humanitarian Coordination Center (HOCC) issued a statement, published by the Saba news agency, refuting claims that the group plans to charge tolls in the Bab al-Mandeb. The statement explicitly asserted that "passage for vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb strait is completely free."

This denial comes after Yemen's Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani accused the Houthis on July 29 of attempting to replicate Iran's strategy of levying fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Bab al-Mandeb strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, is a crucial shipping route, particularly for Saudi Arabia's oil exports, especially since Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway also provides access to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.

The Houthi movement, supported by Iran, controls significant parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The conflict in Yemen has created a complex geopolitical situation, with regional and international powers backing different factions. The accusation regarding passage fees highlights the ongoing tensions and the strategic importance of maritime chokepoints in the region.

“

HOCC further emphasizes that passage for vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb strait is completely free.