Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement on Monday announced a “complete and total ban” on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea, declaring all Israeli-linked vessels legitimate targets with immediate effect in a move that could significantly escalate tensions across the Middle East.
The announcement was made by a military spokesperson of the group, which refers to itself as the Yemeni Armed Forces, during a televised address. The declaration marks a major escalation in the strategically vital Red Sea region and threatens one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors.
“We declare a complete and total ban on maritime navigation of the Israeli enemy in the Red Sea and consider all enemy movements legitimate targets for our armed forces from the moment this statement is issued,” the spokesperson said.
The move comes hours after the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching a missile towards what they described as “sensitive sites” in the Jaffa area of central Israel. The group said the attack was part of coordinated operations carried out by the broader “axis of resistance,” comprising forces aligned with Iran in Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and elsewhere in the region.
Israel’s military confirmed that its air defence systems were activated to intercept a projectile launched from Yemen. Authorities reported no casualties or damage.
The attack is the first claimed Houthi strike against Israel since a fragile ceasefire emerged following the Israel-Gaza agreement reached in October 2025.
The Houthis have repeatedly stated that their actions are aimed at supporting Palestinians and resisting Israeli military operations in the region. Their campaign against shipping in the Red Sea began in November 2023, targeting vessels allegedly linked to Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Over the past two years, more than 100 attacks attributed to the group have disrupted global shipping routes, forcing vessels to divert around Africa, increasing insurance premiums and prompting international naval operations, including US-led and European security missions in the region.
Although attacks largely subsided after the Gaza ceasefire, the Houthis had warned that operations could resume if hostilities involving Israel or its allies intensified. The latest declaration appears linked to the broader regional tensions involving Iran and Israel, with the Red Sea emerging once again as a strategic pressure point.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, facilitating nearly 15 per cent of global seaborne trade and serving as a key route for energy supplies moving from the Persian Gulf to international markets.
Industry observers have warned that any prolonged disruption in the area could further strain global supply chains and energy markets already facing challenges due to geopolitical instability elsewhere in the region.
The latest announcement has heightened concerns among shipping companies, insurers and international governments about the possibility of renewed attacks on commercial vessels, including oil and gas tankers operating in or near the Red Sea.
The Houthis continue to control large parts of northern Yemen and have maintained their military capabilities despite years of conflict, Saudi-led coalition operations and repeated Western airstrikes.
