the Yemeni Houthis declared on May 19 that they would initiate a naval blockade at Israel's Haifa port. This action is a direct response to Israel's escalating military operations in Gaza. The Houthis made it clear that any ships heading to or associated with Haifa will now be treated as targets, raising concerns for international shipping throughout the Red Sea and beyond.
The announcement comes amid increasing tensions, particularly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that Israel might seek full control over Gaza. In reaction, Houthi army spokesperson Yahya Saree indicated that the group is prepared to enforce a blockade on Haifa, Israel's largest port. He emphasized that this port has now officially become part of their target list.
Saree stated that this move is in retaliation for what they consider Israel's growing aggression in Gaza and against the Yemeni people. The Houthis warned that attacks on Israeli-linked entities would only cease once the conflict in Gaza comes to an end and the blockade is lifted.
In a separate statement, Houthi spokesman Ahmed Salah, representing the group's Red Sea communications center, mentioned that the naval blockade on Haifa could begin immediately. He outlined that all vessels are prohibited from loading or unloading at the port, and shipowners who ignore this directive would face penalties.
Interestingly, other Israeli ports such as Ashdod and Eilat were not included in this blockade and appear to remain unaffected for now. The Houthis stressed that any shipping company with vessels bound for Haifa, even indirectly, would be subject to sanctions. If a company finds itself on their blacklist, the Houthis warned that its entire fleet could be barred from entering the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean. Moreover, these fleets might be actively targeted by Houthi forces whenever possible.
Although the Houthis may not possess the military strength to impose an immediate naval blockade in the Eastern Mediterranean, they do control strategic waters near Yemen. Ships navigating the Suez Canal must pass through these areas, putting them in jeopardy.
Despite a series of U.S. airstrikes in March and April, the group has maintained its capability to launch drone and missile attacks on vessels that pass through Yemen. This new threat heightens the existing dangers for international shipping in the region.
In the past, the Houthis have attacked vessels that they claimed had links to Israel. However, many of the ships they targeted lacked confirmed ties to Israel, and in some instances, they mistakenly struck vessels associated with their own allies. This has left shipping companies worried that any vessel could be mistakenly categorized as Israeli-related and become vulnerable to attack.
The Houthis had paused their attacks during a month-long ceasefire earlier this year. However, the truce broke down in March, leading the group to renew its threats against international shipping in response to Israel's blockade of Gaza. In retaliation, the U.S. military began conducting almost daily airstrikes starting March 15 to target potential threats to ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Earlier this month, the Houthis reached a ceasefire agreement with the United States, but the group stated that it would continue its actions against Israel. On May 16, Israeli forces executed airstrikes on two ports under Houthi control. Following these attacks, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that if Houthi missile assaults persisted, the group's leaders could face consequences similar to those suffered by Hamas officials during Israel's campaign in Gaza.
References: Al Arabiya, Straits Times.
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