Yemen’s Houthi movement says commercial shipping remains safe in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
However, the group has excluded Saudi vessels from that assurance.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group would continue enforcing its previously announced ban on Saudi shipping.
He also warned of further escalation if what the Houthis call aggression against Yemen continues.
The statement comes as Houthi forces expand their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Their latest gains have increased pressure on the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Houthis Expand Control Along Red Sea Coast
A military official from Yemen’s internationally recognized government told AFP that Houthi forces had taken control of the remaining western coastal areas held by government-backed forces.
The official said the Houthis had also taken strategic islands near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Reports have cited the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands among the latest Houthi gains. Houthi-linked media also reported control of the islands.
Earlier, the Houthis captured Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island. The island sits inside the Bab al-Mandab Strait and has major strategic value for maritime traffic. Yemeni government and Houthi sources confirmed the capture to AP.
Mayun Island Strengthens Houthi Position
The capture of Mayun followed the Houthi takeover of the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha.
Reuters reported that the advance has brought Houthi forces closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group has also moved toward other strategic positions along the coast.
As a result, the Houthis now hold positions on both the Yemeni mainland and islands near one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
The Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. It also provides a key route between the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal.
Saudi Shipping Faces Houthi Ban
Saree said the group would maintain its restrictions on Saudi vessels.
He linked the policy to what the Houthis describe as Saudi aggression and a blockade against Yemen.
The group has repeatedly threatened Saudi-linked shipping during the latest escalation. At the same time, it says other commercial vessels can continue to use the waterway safely.
However, the Houthi claims have not removed concerns among shipping operators. Reuters reported that the group’s advance has increased risks around another major oil transit route.
Regional Shipping Faces Growing Risk
The latest developments come as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also fallen sharply because of the wider Iran-US conflict.
Reuters reported that only seven vessels transited Hormuz on September 10, far below the pre-war daily average of about 125. Meanwhile, 26 vessels passed through Bab al-Mandab on the same day.
The combination of disruptions in Hormuz and growing Houthi control near Bab al-Mandab could put further pressure on global energy and trade routes.
For now, the Houthis say they will keep commercial navigation open while maintaining their ban on Saudi vessels۔
