Houthis said to prepare missile and drone attacks on ships in the southern Red Sea
Houthi ship attack threat rises near Bab el-Mandeb Strait, risking key trade routes Avoidance advisories and traffic shifts could affect cargo safety and transit plans
A maritime security group warned that Houthi militants in Yemen have prepared missiles and drones for possible attacks on ships near the Bab elMandeb Strait, a key route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Joint Maritime Information Center said on Tuesday that sources close to the group reported the deployments, while the European Union’s naval mission advised merchant vessels tied to Israeli, U.S. or Saudi interests to avoid the area until the threat eases.
The warning comes after the Houthis announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia this week, prompting some tankers carrying Saudi cargo to turn back before reaching the strait. Despite the alert, the JMIC said commercial traffic continued in the area without disruption, though shiptracking firms reported a decline in crossings.