Sana'a: Yemen's Foreign Minister Jamal Ahmed Ali Amer has formally notified the United Nations and various international organizations about the country's new policy to ban Israeli ships from transiting its strategic waterways.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the notifications were sent to the U.N. Secretary-General, the presidents of the Security Council and the General Assembly, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, the European Union's Special Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and all U.N. member states. Ali Amer emphasized that the decision is a response to Israel's failure to adhere to a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and its ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The ban, effective from Tuesday night (March 11, 2025), targets Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. Earlier, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Ansarullah movement, had issued a four-day ultimatum to Israel to permit aid into Gaza or face a naval blockade, which expired on March 11. Ali Amer stated that the ban would remain in place until Gaza's crossings are reopened for humanitarian aid.
The U.N. has called for restraint amid these developments. Following the Yemeni ban, the United States launched multiple airstrikes across Yemen over the weekend, resulting in 53 fatalities, including civilians, as reported by the Health Ministry in Sana'a. In retaliation, Yemen targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, with missile attacks in the Red Sea.
On Sunday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to cease military activities and exercise restraint. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the secretary-general, warned that further escalation could intensify regional tensions and destabilize Yemen. The U.N. emphasized the need for adherence to international law and highlighted the severe humanitarian risks facing Yemen due to the conflict.
Oman, expressing concern over the situation, called for an end to military operations that exacerbate the suffering of Yemenis and regional instability. Iran and other regional countries also cautioned against the continuation of U.S.-led attacks on Yemen, highlighting the potential for increased humanitarian and regional crises.