Yemen's internationally recognised government has accused Houthi rebels of preparing a new system to impose fees on ships sailing through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The allegation was made by a government minister in remarks reported from Riyadh.
According to the government, the move is being developed with Iranian guidance and would target one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. The Bab el-Mandeb links the Red Sea to key global shipping routes, so any attempt to charge vessels for passage would likely raise concerns well beyond Yemen.
The accusation adds to wider tensions around security and trade in the Red Sea, where commercial shipping has faced repeated disruptions. A fee system controlled by the Houthis would mark another potential pressure point for ship operators using the narrow waterway.
No independent confirmation of the alleged plan was included in the available report, but the claim underscores how control over strategic sea lanes remains central to Yemen's conflict and to regional competition involving Iran and the Houthis.
