Yemeni Armed Forces declare Haifa Port under naval siege

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
20 May 2025 01:33
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Yemen announces blockade on Haifa Port in response to "Israel’s" Gaza assault, warning shipping companies as the situation escalates in occupied Palestine.

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The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, reads out a statement, on April 11, 2025. (Yemeni Armed Forces/Military Media)

The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) announced on Monday the imposition of a naval blockade on Haifa Port in occupied Palestine, declaring the strategic Israeli-controlled port a new target. The move comes in response to the continued and escalating Israeli aggression against Gaza and its blockade-induced starvation campaign.

In an official statement, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the YAF, cautioned all maritime companies whose vessels are docked at or en route to Haifa to treat the announcement and future warnings with utmost seriousness.

This escalation follows the successful enforcement of a blockade on the Port of Umm al-Rashrash, also known as Eilat, which ceased operations under Yemeni military pressure.

Saree: We will not hesitate to escalate

Brigadier General Saree reaffirmed that the Yemeni military will not hesitate to escalate further in support of the Palestinian people and their Resistance. He stressed that all military actions against “Israel” would only cease if the aggression on Gaza ends and the blockade is fully lifted.

“The armed forces will not hesitate to take any additional necessary measures in solidarity with Gaza,” Saree declared. He also underscored that Sanaa's position remains firm in backing Palestine’s right to resist occupation and systematic oppression.

Aerial and naval targeting of 'Israel' intensifies

The Haifa Port blockade is the latest phase in an expanding military campaign led by Yemen. On May 4, the Yemeni Armed Forces declared their intention to impose a complete aerial blockade on Israeli authorities by targeting the Ben Gurion Airport.

Subsequent reports confirmed multiple strikes targeting Ben Gurion, leading to evacuations and forcing settlers into shelters. These operations were described as a direct response to the Israeli occupation’s siege on Gaza and its ongoing airstrikes across the Strip.

Airline warnings and Ben Gurion strikes continue

In parallel with military actions, the Yemeni leadership in Sanaa has issued repeated warnings to international airlines, urging them to avoid Israeli airspace entirely. These warnings have coincided with a string of attacks that disrupted civilian aviation and highlighted Yemen’s growing regional military influence.