By Reuters | Posted by TOE

Yemen’s Houthi-run maritime ⁠coordination ⁠body denied on ⁠Saturday that it planned to impose ​fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb ‌strait, saying no such ‌decision had been taken and that passage ⁠through ⁠the strategic waterway remained free.

The statement follows a ​Reuters report on Wednesday, citing regional sources, that the Iran-aligned Houthis were considering imposing fees on ships ​sailing through the southern Red Sea, a week ⁠after ⁠declaring a maritime blockade ⁠on ​Saudi Arabia.

The sources in the Reuters report had said ​the proposal ⁠on fees was discussed with Iranian officials during a visit to Tehran by Houthi officials in July, although no timeframe for implementation ⁠had been decided.

The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) said its “safe ⁠transit service was a voluntary and cost-free service”.

“The HOCC categorically confirms that any individual or entity requesting the payment of money in exchange for transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait does not represent the Republic of Yemen or HOCC in any capacity whatsoever,” ⁠it said in a statement.

“The HOCC urges shipping companies not to make any payments or provide any information to unauthorized individuals ​or entities,” it said.