A reputable British security publication (Lloyd’s List) has reported that Yemen’s Ansar Allah group has initiated serious discussions on charging transit fees to vessels passing through the Red Sea.
Sources say this move is similar to Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz and indicates that the Houthis are not only seeking to disrupt maritime routes, but also aiming to formalize their full control over these strategic waterways.
Previously, the Houthis in Yemen also threatened to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which is considered one of the most important maritime routes in the world.