By Gloria Ogbonna
The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has announced what it described as a “complete and total ban” on Israeli maritime navigation through the Red Sea, raising fresh concerns about regional security and the stability of critical global shipping routes.
In a statement released on Monday, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree declared that all Israeli-linked maritime activity in the region would be considered a legitimate target for the group’s military operations. The announcement marks a significant escalation in tensions across the Middle East as conflicts involving Israel, Iran, and several Iran-aligned groups continue to intensify.
“We consider all enemy movements to be legitimate military targets for our armed forces,” Saree said, warning that any further escalation by Israel or its allies would be met with stronger military responses from Houthi forces.
The spokesman emphasized that the group’s actions would be carried out in coordination with what he called the “axis of jihad and resistance,” a term commonly used to describe Iran’s network of allied militant organizations and proxy forces operating throughout the Middle East, including groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Saree further stated that Houthi military operations would continue as long as what he described as aggression and blockades against Yemen and allied resistance movements persist. He vowed that future actions would intensify in response to developments on the battlefield and political decisions affecting the region.
Alongside the maritime threat, the Houthis also claimed responsibility for launching missile attacks toward central Israel. According to Saree, the missiles targeted strategic locations in the area surrounding Tel Aviv, which he referred to as “occupied Jaffa.” The group said the attacks were carried out in response to what it called Israeli military operations against Lebanon, Iran, and the Gaza Strip.
The missile launches came amid a broader wave of regional hostilities. Israeli warning systems reportedly detected Houthi missile activity early Monday, followed later by additional missile salvos launched by Iran. The developments underscored the growing coordination among Iranian-backed groups and the increasing risk of a wider regional conflict.
The Houthis have previously demonstrated their ability to disrupt international commerce. During the Gaza conflict between 2023 and 2025, the group carried out numerous attacks against commercial vessels traveling through the Red Sea. Those operations significantly impacted global shipping, forcing many companies to avoid the region and reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa. The longer journey added substantial transportation costs, delayed deliveries, and disrupted international supply chains.
Although the Houthis have repeatedly threatened to resume similar attacks since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran earlier this year, Monday’s declaration represents one of their strongest warnings to date.
Analysts are particularly concerned about the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. The narrow waterway connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital gateway for trade between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Any disruption in the area could have significant consequences for global energy markets and international commerce.
In recent months, traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has increased dramatically, especially after Iran’s actions affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has redirected large volumes of crude oil exports through Red Sea routes using its extensive pipeline network, making the Bab el-Mandeb even more strategically important.
According to maritime tracking data, oil shipments passing through the strait nearly doubled between February and April, rising from approximately 3.9 million barrels per day to more than 7 million barrels per day. The increase has heightened concerns that any attack on commercial shipping could trigger major disruptions in global energy supplies and drive up transportation and insurance costs worldwide.
Security experts warn that even a limited number of attacks could have an outsized impact on international trade. A single successful strike against a tanker or cargo vessel could cause shipping companies and insurers to reassess the risks of operating in the region, potentially leading to widespread rerouting of maritime traffic.
Some analysts now fear the possibility of simultaneous disruptions in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Such a scenario would place unprecedented pressure on global supply chains, energy markets, and international shipping networks, further increasing tensions in an already volatile region.
As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, governments, shipping companies, and energy markets around the world are closely monitoring developments in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, recognizing that any further escalation could have far-reaching economic and security consequences.
Source Breitbart
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