Ansar Allah-led Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Tuesday, March 11, the resumption of the ban on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, due to Israel’s continuous blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The resumption of the operations came after Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdulmalik al-Houthi gave a four-day deadline to the mediators of the Gaza ceasefire deal on March 7, to pressure Israel to allow aid into the Gaza Strip.
“In support of the Palestinian people, and after the expiration of the deadline set by Sayyed Abdulmalik for the mediators to pressure the Israeli enemy to reopen the crossings and allow aid into the Gaza Strip, and since the mediators were unable to achieve this, the Yemeni Armed Forces confirm the resumption of the ban on the passage of all Israeli vessels in the operation zones, including the Red and Arabian Seas, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden,” the spokesperson of the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General, Yahya Sare’e, said in a televised speech.
The resumption of the operations began after over 10 days of Israel’s full blockade on Gaza, banning the entry of humanitarian aid including food, medicine, and fuel into the enclave.
Palestinian factions hail Ansar Allah’s supportive stance
The Palestinian factions issued statements praising Ansar Allah’s move to resume its operations against Israel, and its continuous support to the Palestinian people.
Hamas described the move as “an extension of the support and backing Ansar Allah has provided throughout the war of extermination in Gaza”, urging the international community and the United Nations to take urgent action to end Israel’s starvation of the people of Gaza.
For its part, Islamic Jihad stated that the resumption of operations against Israeli vessels is “a bold step aimed at pressuring the entity and its backers to reopen the crossings and allow aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) welcomed the decision, saying that it “reflects the strong will of the Yemeni people and armed forces”, and “shows that the Arab nation will endure as long as there are free people resisting Zionist and Western tyranny.”
Ansar Allah continues in the path of resistance despite FTO designation
The decision showcased that Ansar Allah were not deterred by the recent decision by the US government to designate them as a terrorist group. The US State Department issued a statement on March 4, saying that it was fulfilling “one of President Trump’s first promises upon taking office”, which is designating Ansar Allah, as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” (FTO).
Referring to Ansar Allah as the Houthis the statement reads: “the Houthis’ activities threaten the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of our closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade.”
“Since 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as US service members defending freedom of navigation and our regional partners. Most recently, the Houthis spared Chinese-flagged ships while targeting American and allied vessels,” the statement continues.
