The Houthi militants from Yemen have entered the conflict involving Iran, supporting Tehran's position. They announced a missile strike against Israel on Monday and imposed an embargo on Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, thereby threatening this vital passage as well as the Gulf of Aden and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait linking them.
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis targeted merchant vessels traversing a critical waterway where roughly $1 trillion (€866 billion) worth of merchandise flowed annually, conducting almost 200 assaults, leading numerous firms to take an extended route past the southernmost point of Africa.
A detour typically increases travel time between Asia and Europe by approximately 14 days and incurs substantial expenses. The flow of oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait decreased from 8.8 million to about 4 million barrels daily throughout the operation.
The Houthis halted their operations following the Gaza truce in October 2025, yet cautioned that they would restart if hostilities with Iran intensified.
The revived danger arises at a time when the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as the entrance to the Gulf and its oil suppliers, continues to be closed off by Tehran due to the conflict with Iran.
The declaration now exposes two of the globe's most vital sea routes to danger.
The Bab el-Mandeb, which is only 26 kilometers broad at its tightest section, links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the larger Indian Ocean. Approximately 12% of worldwide shipping traffic goes through this passage.
The Strait of Hormuz transports roughly 20% of the global maritime oil and natural gas shipments, along with additional freight.
"A full and absolute prohibition on Israeli naval activity in the Red Sea has been declared," stated a message from the military wing of the Houthis.
From the time this declaration is made, we regard every hostile movement as a valid target for our military forces.
The Houthis, who officially aligned with Iran's conflict in support of Teheran back in March, have yet to declare a missile strike against Israel since a tenuous truce commenced on April 8th.
They stated they "initiated a missile attack aimed at critical Israeli adversary locations," asserting that the assaults "successfully met their goals accurately."
The Israeli armed forces previously stated on Telegram that they "have detected the launching of a missile from Yemen towards Israeli land, with air defense mechanisms functioning to stop the danger."
The Houthi group's strike occurred amid Israeli-Iranian clashes on Monday, increasing pressure on the truce and undermining prospects for a peace agreement.
The Houthis and Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, are members of the Tehran-supported, funded, and organized Resistance Axis, which also comprises Hamas and groups in Iraq.
Previously called Ansar Allah, the insurgents originating from northern Yemen have maintained control over large parts of the nation for over ten years following their capture of the capital, Sanaa, and the ousting of the government in September 2014.