Following Iran's example, the Houthis are reportedly planning to impose tolls on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; China has already issued prior warnings

After the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is now also set to become a "toll station."

According to European media citing informed sources in Yemen, the Houthi rebels are learning from Iran’s playbook, developing a toll collection scheme for passage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Previously, Saudi Arabia and its allies attacked airports under Houthi control, leading to the collapse of a ceasefire agreement signed four years ago, pushing both sides back into a tense standoff.

Against this backdrop, the Houthis announced partial blockades of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait under their control, focusing specifically on vessels linked to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports rely entirely on these two major maritime arteries in the Middle East. With both now blocked, it inevitably faces constraints. Perhaps as a result, the situation in Yemen remains relatively stable compared to Iran’s, with no intense clashes yet observed.

However, if Saudi oil exports continue to be obstructed, it may prompt stronger retaliatory actions down the line. Moreover, the situation in Yemen is also influenced by U.S.-Iran tensions—so long as the Iranian situation remains unresolved, the Red Sea will not truly be peaceful.

The Yemeni Minister of Information stated that, based on intelligence they have obtained, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has already joined efforts to draft the toll mechanism for the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and a temporary plan could be unveiled shortly.

In fact, this news is not entirely unexpected—there have been numerous rumors about such plans previously. Even during the Houthi delegation’s attendance at Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral, foreign media reported discussions on fees related to passage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

According to earlier statements by the Houthis, the strait blockade measures apply only to Saudi-linked ships, but it remains unclear whether the toll system, once implemented, will extend to all vessels passing through.

Notably, according to leaks from foreign media, China has already communicated directly with the Houthis, urging them to allow passage for ships associated with China. It is highly likely that Chinese vessels’ safety will thus be ensured.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872116701140100/

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