Coalition to Protect Key Shipping Route, Warns Houthis

The coalition's Joint Forces Command has announced new measures to protect commercial ships passing through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a vital waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. In a statement, coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the actions comply with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He warned that any Houthi threats against shipping would be met with a swift and firm response. Al-Maliki dismissed Houthi claims that Yemeni ports and airports are under blockade, calling them false and aimed at escalating tensions. He noted that over 300 commercial vessels carrying food, fuel, and construction materials entered northern Yemeni ports such as Hodeidah, Al Salif, and Ras Isa during the first half of 2026. The spokesperson also accused the Houthis of being responsible for closing Sanaa International Airport, destroying Yemenia Airways planes, and rejecting proposals to resume flights. The coalition said its measures are necessary to counter what it described as maritime piracy by the Houthis, who have threatened shipping in the region. The Bab Al-Mandab Strait is a crucial route for global trade, and any disruption could affect oil and cargo shipments. The coalition's announcement underscores ongoing tensions in the area.