Sana'a - (Saba):
The Humanitarian Coordination Center (HOCC) issued a decision imposing a comprehensive ban on maritime traffic to and from the port of Haifa, pursuant to the Yemeni Armed Forces' announcement on May 19, 2025, imposing a maritime embargo on the port.
The center explained in a statement issued today, a copy of which was received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), that according to the decision, ships are prohibited from loading or unloading to and from the port of Haifa, whether directly or indirectly, including ship-to-ship transfers. This decision will take effect on May 20, 2025, at 00:01 a.m. Sana'a time, which corresponds to May 19, 21:01 p.m. UTC.
He emphasized that this decision comes as a response to the Israeli escalation by expanding its aggression against Gaza, and as part of its religious, humanitarian, and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people and the ongoing horrific massacres they are subjected to by the occupying Israeli entity. It also comes as part of the sanctions imposed on it as a result of its aggression, siege, and starvation of the Gaza Strip, its perpetration of genocide against the Palestinian people, the killing of children and women, and the prevention of the entry of medicine and food for more than a year.
The Humanitarian Coordination Center stated that it had contacted shipping companies regarding the high risks facing ships heading to and from the port of Haifa, including the risk of sanctions, which could include the fleets of companies violating the ban, as well as those dealing with them.
He called on shipping companies to scrutinize and exercise due diligence in all their dealings, ensuring that there are no direct ship voyages to the port of Haifa, and ensuring that there is no direct, indirect, or third-party connection to any transaction that violates the ban. The presence of any ships bound for the port of Haifa or having an indirect connection to it will expose the company and its fleet to sanctions.
He pointed out that if the company is placed on the sanctions list, its fleet will be prohibited from crossing the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean, and that it will be targeted anywhere within the reach of the Yemeni armed forces. Furthermore, countries, entities, and individuals are prohibited from dealing with companies on the sanctions lists in any way, as engaging in any transactions with listed companies entails the risk of being subject to sanctions.
The center expressed hope that it will be understood that the measures taken through the sanctions are part of its religious, humanitarian, and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people, and are aimed at pressuring the Israeli entity to halt its aggression, open the crossings to the Gaza Strip, and allow the entry of aid and essential food and medicine.
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