Yemen’s Houthis granting ships safe passage via email: Report

Yemen’s Houthis are reportedly operating an email system through which ships can seek confirmation of safe passage across the Red Sea. The arrangement suggests the group is asserting influence over a strategically important shipping route, where vessels linked to Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States have been targeted.

The Wall Street Journal reported that some ships began contacting the Houthis after they declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia earlier this year. Crew members and emails reviewed by the newspaper indicate replies typically arrive within 24 hours. In one exchange, the Houthis told a Chinese container ship it had a transit permit valid for seven days and invited it to sign up for email alerts.