Yemen’s Houthis deny plan to charge ships transiting Red Sea
Yemen's Houthi rebels have officially denied reports that they plan to impose fees on ships transiting the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The group stated that passage remains free and voluntary, contradicting earlier claims that they were seeking to regulate maritime traffic in the vital waterway.
Why it matters
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a critical global shipping chokepoint; any disruption or taxation of this route would significantly impact international oil prices and supply chain stability.
Houthis say Red Sea route remains free to use, pushing back on report of new shipping fees.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Boats float near the coast of Bab al-Mandeb, Yemen [File: Reuters] By Reuters Published On 1 Aug 2026 1 Aug 2026 Yemen’s Houthi rebels have denied planning to charge ships for passing through the Red Sea, saying passage through the waterway remains free.
The denial came in a statement issued Saturday by the Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), which oversees vessel movement through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. It said its “safe transit service” was voluntary and free of charge, adding that anyone demanding payment for passage did not represent Yemen or the HOCC. It urged shipping companies not to make payments or share information with unauthorised parties.
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