This move comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, with Houthi forces launching drones and missiles against global commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden since mid-November of the previous year.
These attacks have forced shipping companies to take costly and lengthy diversions via southern Africa, raising concerns about the potential destabilization of the Middle East due to ongoing conflicts. In response, the US and UK forces have targeted Houthi positions.
Al-Numair emphasized that relevant authorities are ready to assist with permit requests, collaborating with Yemen's Navy to ensure security and safety. The territorial waters affected by Yemen's order extend halfway into the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial passage where about 15% of global shipping traffic transits on its way to or from the Suez Canal.
Amidst these developments, Hong Kong's HGC Global Communications reported damage to at least four underwater communications cables in the Red Sea, affecting networks such as Seacom, Asia-Africa-Europe 1, Europe India Gateway, and TGN-Gulf.
The company estimated that the impairments have impacted nearly 25% of data traffic under the Red Sea, prompting a strategy to reroute traffic.
In response to the cable damage, Al-Numair's ministry blamed US and British attacks, while the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported an incident involving a vessel damaged by two explosions southeast of Aden.
Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, and the vessel continued to its next scheduled port of call.
