The Yemeni government denied any change in inspection procedures on ships bound for the Houthi-controlled western Hodeidah port, stressing that the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen was still operational.
Houthis claimed that the inspection mechanism had been suspended.
The government emphasized that it will take deterrent actions against ships that violate government decisions and processes, as well as merchants and shipping brokers that do so.
Moreover, the government expressed its categorical rejection of what it described as the blackmail of commercial and shipping sectors.
It also denounced the Houthis’ tampering with the livelihood of Yemenis through suspension, prevention, and extortion.
Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militias had recently prevented the arrival of shipments of imported goods through the port of Aden and other ports under government control. Those deliveries were bound for Houthi-controlled areas.
The insurgents forced merchants to import goods through the port of Hodeidah, in a move to double their profits from taxes, customs and royalties.
The Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a strongly worded statement denying any changes to the government’s agreement with the UN regarding the inspection of ships bound for Hodeidah, and threatening legal action and other punitive measures against violators.
The joint statement affirmed the ministries’ keenness to regulate the movement of trade in various ports in a way that guarantees the ease of the arrival of goods and the efficiency of their transportation and delivery.
Additionally, the Yemeni government warned against believing rumors spread by Houthi militias, noting that those claims are aimed at evading commitments.
Cargo arriving at the port of Hodeidah, primarily fuel shipments, are subject to a UN inspection mechanism that ensures implementing the decision to ban the entry of weapons into areas controlled by the Houthis.
