Yemen's Houthi-run maritime coordination body has denied plans to impose fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The denial comes as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait is a key shipping route, with ships carrying vital cargo, including oil and gas, passing through it daily. The strait's strategic importance has made it a focal point in the ongoing conflict between the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The Houthi-run maritime coordination body's denial of plans to impose fees on commercial ships is likely to be welcomed by the international shipping community, which has been monitoring the situation closely.