THE Houthis have ushered in a new phase of terror in the Red Sea after the group’s spokesperson Yahya Sare’e promised a “fourth phase” of the “naval blockade”.

The group said it would target the ships of any company that dealt with Israeli ports, similar to the doctrine it delivered in May 2024, which was followed by several attacks on vessels that fit that profile, most notably tanker Sounion (IMO: 9312145).

Sare’e’s statement, delivered via X, said “rapid developments” of events in Palestine amid “shameful Arab, Islamic and international silence” was the reason behind this latest phase in the Houthis’ campaign against shipping.

But in reality, EOS Risk head of advisory Martin Kelly said the Houthis had already been following this criteria, with bulker Magic Seas (IMO: 9736169) attacked under this pretext earlier this month.

Risk Intelligence senior analyst Dirk Siebels said there was “a lot of Houthi rhetoric around this announcement but in reality, ship operators have had to consider this threat at least since the previous announcement in May 2024”.

Sare’e warned all companies to cease dealings with Israeli ports. Otherwise their vessels would be targeted regardless of their destination, he said.