Shipping Arabia, January 21, 2025 — The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), controlled by the Houthi movement, has declared a partial halt to maritime attacks in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Gulf. This new directive, effective January 19, restricts its “bans” exclusively to vessels owned or flagged by Israel, aligning with a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a communication sent to shipowners, managers, marine insurers, unions, and shipping authorities, the HOCC announced that it would cease sanctions on vessels previously listed, with the exception of those wholly or partially owned by Israeli entities or flying the Israeli flag. The statement indicated that military operations targeting vessels linked to Western interests would also be suspended due to the “cessation of aggression on the Gaza Strip.”
This announcement comes after 14 months of escalating conflict, which saw a 60% decline in global trade through the Red Sea trade corridor, primarily impacting Western-owned vessels. Over the last year, Houthi forces reportedly attacked more than 134 ships using a range of weaponry, including fast attack crafts, uncrewed surface vessels, drones, and anti-ship missiles believed to be supplied by Iran and China, as noted in a United Nations Security Council Panel of Experts report released in October.
The HOCC’s message specified that, as of Sunday, vessels previously targeted under criteria linked to US and UK ownership or flags (criteria D), or those managed by Israeli nationals or headed for Israeli ports (criteria B and C), would no longer be subject to sanctions. However, it was emphasized that Israeli-owned or flagged vessels (criteria A) would continue to be prohibited from transiting these crucial waterways.
The email stated: “Sanctions on vessels listed under criteria A, B, C, and D are now lifted, except for vessels wholly owned by Israeli individuals or entities and/or sailing under the Israeli flag. These vessels remain banned from transiting the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean until all phases of the agreement are fully implemented.”
The Houthis also cautioned that any further aggression against Yemen by the US, UK, or Israel could lead to a reinstatement of these sanctions, promising to notify stakeholders promptly if such measures were reintroduced.
Since November, there have been no reported attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea corridor, suggesting a possible de-escalation in the region. However, maritime stakeholders remain vigilant as the situation unfolds, especially considering the Houthis’ historical role in regional instability.
