Houthis Say Over 400 Ships Passed Through Bab el-Mandeb in 10 Days
Houthi authorities say over 400 ships passed through the strait in ten days, while other reporting traces months of blockade, attacks and shifting shipping patterns around one of the world's key maritime chokepoints.
What happened
The Houthi-formed government's Ministry of Transport and Public Works said over 400 ships passed through the Bab el-Mandeb strait in 10 days, with navigation proceeding smoothly for international commercial vessels except Saudi Arabian ships.1
The Financial Times reported that container shipping through the strait has reached its highest level in almost three years, alongside a Houthi pledge not to target European ships.2
Dawn's account traces a Houthi-declared naval blockade against Saudi Arabia from July 2026, including attacks on Saudi tankers and energy infrastructure, a period when traffic fell to its lowest level in months, and the later Houthi seizure of islands and Yemen's Red Sea coast.3
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Current state of navigation through Bab el-Mandeb
Houthi Ministry of Transport and Public Works, via TASS
Navigation is proceeding smoothly and safely for international commercial vessels, with the exception of Saudi Arabian ships, and over 400 ships passed through in 10 days.1
Financial Times
Container shipping through the strait has reached its highest level in almost three years, alongside a Houthi pledge not to target European ships.2
Dawn
Describes an escalating campaign since July 2026 in which Houthi forces declared a blockade against Saudi Arabia, attacked tankers and infrastructure, and at one point drove traffic to its lowest level in months before seizing strategic islands and Yemen's Red Sea coast.3
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Russian state media relaying Houthi government statementsRussia & Eurasia | TASS reports the Houthi-formed government's own account of shipping volumes and safety conditions, foregrounding the Houthi narrative of normalcy for international vessels except Saudi ones.1 | Houthi self-reported figures, distinction between international and Saudi shipping, official Houthi ministry framing |
| European financial pressEurope | The Financial Times frames the story around commercial and shipping-industry implications, emphasizing a Houthi pledge toward European vessels and a rebound in container shipping volumes.2 | shipping industry impact, near three-year traffic high, assurances to European shipping |
| South Asian regional pressSouth Asia | Dawn situates the current traffic figures within a longer timeline of escalation, detailing the declared blockade, attacks on Saudi tankers and infrastructure, and Houthi territorial gains around the strait.3 | historical timeline since July 2026, blockade against Saudi Arabia, territorial and strategic control gains |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported an independent verification of the 400-ship figure or the claimed shipping volume increases from shipping-industry or maritime tracking sources.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported the Saudi government's response to the exemption of Saudi ships from safe passage or to the reported blockade.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed current conditions on the ground following the Houthi seizure of islands and the Red Sea coast mentioned by Dawn.
Why it matters
Bab el-Mandeb is a strategic strait linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and disruptions there affect global shipping routes.123
What to watch
- Whether Saudi Arabia or other governments respond to reports of exempted or targeted shipping.
- Whether shipping industry or maritime tracking data corroborates the reported traffic figures.
Sources (3)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 2Financial TimesGBPrivate
Russia & Eurasia
- 1TASSRUState-controlled
Over 400 ships pass through Bab el-Mandeb in 10 days, Houthis say
South Asia
- 3DawnPKPrivate