Yemen's Houthi movement is weighing plans to charge commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, just a week after announcing a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, regional sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
According to the sources, the group is examining the introduction of transit fees for most ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the strategic waterway connecting the southern Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. They did not specify when such a measure could come into force.
The proposed fees are intended to reinforce the group's claim to regulate international shipping routes while increasing pressure on the United States, the sources said. Chinese-flagged vessels would be exempt under the proposal, which has reportedly received the Houthis' approval.
On July 20, the Iran-backed Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, broadening their confrontation with the United States and its allies during the conflict with Iran and extending attacks on tankers transporting global energy supplies and other cargo beyond the Gulf.
By Jeyhun Aghazada
