Houthis Plan Transit Fees for Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The Houthis are considering the implementation of transit fees for commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This proposal follows the group's recent declaration of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and is intended to increase pressure on the United States and its allies.

During a July visit to Tehran, Houthi representatives met with Iranian officials to discuss the plan. Iranian officials are reportedly providing assistance to help the group create an authority to regulate and collect these fees. Under the proposed arrangement, Chinese vessels would be exempt from the charges.

Western and Gulf officials are expected to oppose the initiative. While international naval forces are present in the region, officials note they have limited capacity to fully protect all merchant shipping from such measures.