Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement said on August 1 that reports about new fees for commercial ships using the Bab al-Mandab Strait were not true. The group said transit through the strategic passage remains free for merchant vessels.
The denial addressed claims that the Houthis were preparing to charge ships for passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime corridor. By rejecting those reports, the group sought to signal that no such payment system had been introduced for commercial traffic.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is closely watched because of its importance to international shipping. Any suggestion of new transit charges in such a route can quickly draw attention from ship operators, traders and governments monitoring maritime movement in the region.
For now, the Houthis' position is that commercial passage through the waterway is continuing without fees. Their statement directly pushes back on reports that the group was planning to impose charges on vessels moving through the strait.
