Houthis deny reports of fees for Bab el-Mandeb transit

ADEN, Yemen — The Houthis' humanitarian operations coordination center in Yemen has rejected reports that the group plans to charge fees for ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In a written statement, the center said passage remains free of charge and that no decision or review toward imposing fees has been taken. The center said all ships outside the scope of the group's declared ban can transit safely, and that its safe-passage service covering the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea is voluntary and free of charge. Shipping companies seeking additional security confirmation can request the service through official channels, according to the statement. The center also warned that individuals or groups demanding money in exchange for transit permits or security insurance do not represent the Sanaa administration. It called on shipping companies to make no payments and to report any such approaches.