Houthi Forces Announce: Considering Imposing Toll Fees on Vessels Passing Through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Near Future
The Houthi forces are emulating Iran’s approach to charging fees for passage through straits, with their target being the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Previously, Iran justified imposing tolls on the Strait of Hormuz by citing the need to raise funds for post-bombing national reconstruction following attacks by the U.S. and Israel. The Houthis face a similar situation, and given their proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, they are open to profiting from it. Iran’s successful precedent in the Strait of Hormuz may encourage the Houthi forces to transform their military influence into a long-term economic and geopolitical tool, thereby institutionalizing their control over Red Sea shipping routes.
On the other hand, the Houthi forces claim that levying fees on cargo ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is entirely reasonable and legal. Since the Bab el-Mandeb Strait lies between the Yemeni mainland and the island of Perim, which also belongs to Yemen, it should be regarded as internal waters of Yemen rather than an international strait.
“The Houthi forces believe, according to international maritime law, that the Yemeni government has the right to regulate passage through this strait.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863619834982560/
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