Houthis: Over 400 commercial ships passed through Bab el-Mandeb between Sept 11-21
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Yemen's Houthi group announced on September 23 that more than 400 commercial ships transited the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait between September 11 and 21, despite ongoing conflict in the area. According to a statement carried by the Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV, 408 vessels passed through the waterway, with 196 heading north toward the Red Sea and 212 south toward the Gulf of Aden. The group claimed that international shipping, except for Saudi vessels, continues normally and safely. This figure is higher than the 393 ships recorded between September 1 and 10. However, other ship tracking data reportedly shows fluctuations in traffic through the strait since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen, with daily transit numbers dropping significantly at times. The Houthis have recently intensified their offensive against the Yemeni government and announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, which supports the government. The group has captured key locations including the port city of Mocha and Perim Island. The Yemeni government stated on September 11 that the Houthis now control the entire western coast and have advanced into Lahij province in the south.
Source report
Date: September 24, 2026 Source: China Finance Network
Sana'a — Yemen's Houthi rebels stated on Wednesday that despite ongoing hostilities near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a vital waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden—more than 400 merchant ships have passed through this strategic route in recent days.
According to a statement from the group, as reported by the Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV, a total of 408 merchant vessels transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait between September 11 and September 21. Of these, 196 ships sailed north toward the Red Sea, while 212 headed south toward the Gulf of Aden.
The report noted that the vessels included container ships and that "international shipping continues normally and safely, except for Saudi vessels."
The figure represents an increase from the 393 merchant ships recorded during the period from September 1 to September 10, during which 199 vessels sailed north and 194 sailed south.
However, other vessel tracking data indicates that shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has fluctuated since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen, with daily transit numbers dropping significantly during certain periods.
In recent weeks, the Houthi rebels have intensified their offensive against government forces and announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government. The Houthis have captured strategic locations, including the port city of Mocha and Perim Island. On September 11, the Yemeni government stated that the Houthis had taken control of the country's entire western coastline and had advanced their offensive into the southern Lahij Governorate.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Source
中财网-期货Eastern
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Houthis report 408 commercial ships transited Bab el-Mandeb in 11 days despite conflict