Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Houthis Assure EU on Shipping as UN Condemns Saudi Attacks
The Houthis are a group fighting in Yemen.
They reportedly told the European Union that European ships in the Red Sea would not be attacked.
They said their fighting was mainly directed at Saudi Arabia, not at stopping ships from traveling.
They also said ships should be able to pass freely through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
This waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The Houthis were still expanding their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Meanwhile, more container ships began using the Suez Canal, increasing traffic near the strait.
The United Nations Security Council criticized Houthi attacks that affected Saudi civilians and energy facilities.
It demanded that the Houthis stop escalating the conflict and attacking civilian places.
The Houthis reportedly told the European Union that European ships would not be targeted in the Red Sea.
The group said its offensive along Yemen’s southern coast was not intended to disrupt international shipping or freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The letter was reportedly sent on September 10, the day the Houthis seized the Yemeni port of Mocha.
Container shipping services through the Suez Canal increased, bringing Bab al-Mandeb vessel traffic to its highest level in almost three years.
The United Nations Security Council condemned Houthi attacks affecting Saudi civilians and energy infrastructure and demanded an end to the escalation.
- Who
- The Houthi movement, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, and the United Nations Security Council.
- What
- The Houthis reportedly promised not to target European ships, while the Security Council condemned their attacks on Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The letter was reportedly sent on September 10; the Security Council issued its condemnation on Friday, with no calendar date specified.
- Where
- The developments concern Yemen’s southern and Red Sea coasts, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Saudi Arabia, and nearby shipping routes.
- Why
- The Houthis said their offensive was focused on Saudi Arabia rather than international shipping, while the Security Council responded to attacks affecting civilians, civilian objects, and energy infrastructure.
Houthi Position
International Response
Purpose of the offensive
Houthi Position
The Houthis reportedly said their southern-coast offensive was directed at Saudi Arabia and was not intended to disrupt international shipping.
International Response
The United Nations Security Council condemned continuing attacks on Saudi Arabia, including attacks affecting civilians and energy infrastructure.
Freedom of navigation
Houthi Position
The Houthis assured the European Union that their actions would not affect freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
International Response
The Security Council stressed the importance of navigation rights and freedoms under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Military escalation
Houthi Position
The Houthis continued expanding their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast while presenting their campaign as limited to the conflict with Saudi Arabia.
International Response
The Security Council demanded that the Houthis immediately end their military escalation and attacks affecting civilians and civilian objects.
- Letter recipient
- The European Union’s foreign and security policy arm
- Reported letter date
- September 10
- Houthi assurance
- European ships would not be targeted in the Red Sea
- Strategic waterway
- The Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean
- Shipping traffic
- Vessel traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb reached its highest level in almost three years as container services through the Suez Canal increased
- Security Council response
- The United Nations Security Council condemned Houthi attacks affecting Saudi civilians and energy infrastructure
- Council demand
- The Houthis should immediately cease military escalation and attacks affecting civilians and civilian objects
