Yemen’s Houthi group will limit their attacks on commercial vessels to vessels linked to Israel after the ceasefire in Gaza takes effect, according to the Yemen-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center.
The HOCC, which serves as a liaison between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, said in an email sent to shipping industry officials dated January 19 that it was halting “sanctions” against ships belonging to US or UK individuals or entities, as well as vessels sailing in under the jurisdiction of Al-Qaeda. their flag.
“We confirm that, in the event of aggression against the Republic of Yemen by the United States, the United Kingdom … sanctions will be reimposed against the aggressor,” the email said. “You will be notified immediately of these measures if they are implemented.”
The HOCC said it would stop targeting ships linked to Israel “once all phases of the agreement are fully implemented”.
Many of the world’s largest shipping companies have suspended shipments through the Red Sea and diverted their ships around southern Africa to avoid attacks.
The Iran-backed Houthi group has carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and sank two vessels, captured another, and killed at least four sailors.
The Houthis have targeted the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which joins the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait, a connecting point between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Hamas released three Israeli hostages in Gaza and Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, the first day of a ceasefire that halted a 15-month war that has devastated the Gaza Strip and inflamed the Middle East.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; editing by Gareth Jones and Mark Heinrich)
