Yemen’s armed Houthi group has categorically denied reports that it is imposing tariffs on commercial ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea. The group described information circulating in international media outlets and digital platforms as baseless, according to a report published on August 1, 2026.

The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center said in a statement that vessel transit through the strait remains completely free of charge. The center is responsible for the group’s maritime communications and matters related to ship movement.

The statement further said that all commercial vessels exempt from, or outside, the scope of the Houthis’ declared restrictions can travel through the waterway in complete safety. The report noted that the group announced a formal naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20, describing it as a response to blockades and military attacks over the past several years.