The Houthis announced they would stop attacks on such commercial vessels
On Sunday (January 19), the Houthis issued a statement announcing that they would stop attacks on all non-Israeli ships as soon as a ceasefire agreement in Gaza is reached and begins to take effect, with immediate effect.
At the same time, the Houthis said they would lift "sanctions" on ships operated by Israeli companies, bound for Israeli ports or linked to the United States and Britain. However, in the event of any aggression by the United States, the United Kingdom or Israel against the Republic of Yemen, the Houthis will reinstate sanctions against these countries.
In the statement, the Houthis also referred to the implementation phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The agreement is divided into three phases: the first phase lasts for 42 days, mainly including personnel exchange between the two sides; The second phase would involve the release of Hamas's remaining detainees in exchange for the release of more Palestinian detainees and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The third phase will focus on post-war governance and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The Houthis said sanctions against Israeli ships would stop after the full implementation of all stages of the deal.
The announcement was the Houthis' first major statement about ending their campaign after more than a year of attacks. The move has raised hopes that the detained ships and their crews will be released and could lead to a gradual recovery in global trade. In the past 14 months, the volume of global trade through the Red Sea trade corridor has fallen by 60 percent due to Houthi attacks.
As Houthi attacks have declined and more insurers have stepped in to provide coverage, war risk rates have fallen from their high levels in late 2024. Maritime security firm Ambrey noted in a briefing last week that shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would gradually resume as long as the ceasefire holds and the Houthis are willing to abide by it.
The Houthi Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Operations (HOCC) further confirmed the decision in an email sent on Sunday afternoon London time. They said they had "suspended sanctions imposed on ships on the ban list," but stressed that ships wholly owned only by Israeli individuals or entities, as well as ships flying the Israeli flag, known as "Category A," would continue to be targeted. Other ships that meet the ban categories (Categories B, C, D) will cease to be sanctioned.
In addition, the Houthis also warned that if the United States, Britain or Israel launched another act of aggression against Yemen, they will re-impose sanctions on the aggressor country and inform the relevant parties in a timely manner. This statement shows the firm position of the Houthis in safeguarding their own interests and regional security.
For the shipping industry, this decision by the Houthis is undoubtedly a positive sign. Lars Jensen, a leading shipping analyst, said that if all goes well, shipping companies could start returning to the Suez Canal in the second half of February. However, he also noted that shipping companies need to be fully sure of the long-term situation before making decisions. Shipping companies such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd also expressed cautious optimism and stressed that they would closely analyze the latest developments and their impact on the security situation in the Red Sea.
This decision by the Houthis offers hope for the restoration of regional security and global trade. However, the achievement of lasting peace and full resumption of flights still requires joint efforts and further consultations by all parties.
At the same time, the Houthis said they would lift "sanctions" on ships operated by Israeli companies, bound for Israeli ports or linked to the United States and Britain. However, in the event of any aggression by the United States, the United Kingdom or Israel against the Republic of Yemen, the Houthis will reinstate sanctions against these countries.
In the statement, the Houthis also referred to the implementation phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The agreement is divided into three phases: the first phase lasts for 42 days, mainly including personnel exchange between the two sides; The second phase would involve the release of Hamas's remaining detainees in exchange for the release of more Palestinian detainees and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The third phase will focus on post-war governance and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The Houthis said sanctions against Israeli ships would stop after the full implementation of all stages of the deal.
The announcement was the Houthis' first major statement about ending their campaign after more than a year of attacks. The move has raised hopes that the detained ships and their crews will be released and could lead to a gradual recovery in global trade. In the past 14 months, the volume of global trade through the Red Sea trade corridor has fallen by 60 percent due to Houthi attacks.
As Houthi attacks have declined and more insurers have stepped in to provide coverage, war risk rates have fallen from their high levels in late 2024. Maritime security firm Ambrey noted in a briefing last week that shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would gradually resume as long as the ceasefire holds and the Houthis are willing to abide by it.
The Houthi Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Operations (HOCC) further confirmed the decision in an email sent on Sunday afternoon London time. They said they had "suspended sanctions imposed on ships on the ban list," but stressed that ships wholly owned only by Israeli individuals or entities, as well as ships flying the Israeli flag, known as "Category A," would continue to be targeted. Other ships that meet the ban categories (Categories B, C, D) will cease to be sanctioned.
In addition, the Houthis also warned that if the United States, Britain or Israel launched another act of aggression against Yemen, they will re-impose sanctions on the aggressor country and inform the relevant parties in a timely manner. This statement shows the firm position of the Houthis in safeguarding their own interests and regional security.
For the shipping industry, this decision by the Houthis is undoubtedly a positive sign. Lars Jensen, a leading shipping analyst, said that if all goes well, shipping companies could start returning to the Suez Canal in the second half of February. However, he also noted that shipping companies need to be fully sure of the long-term situation before making decisions. Shipping companies such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd also expressed cautious optimism and stressed that they would closely analyze the latest developments and their impact on the security situation in the Red Sea.
This decision by the Houthis offers hope for the restoration of regional security and global trade. However, the achievement of lasting peace and full resumption of flights still requires joint efforts and further consultations by all parties.
