Hawzah News Agency- Yemen's Foreign Minister Jamal Ahmed Ali Amer has written to the United Nations and several regional and international organizations about the country's decision to ban Israeli ships transiting strategic waterways.

According to Yemen's September 26 news website, the letters are addressed to the U.N. Secretary-General, the presidents of the Security Council and the General Assembly, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, the European Union's Special Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and all U.N. member states.

Ali Amer noted that Yemen’s ban is in response to the Israeli regime’s failure to implement a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and halt humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

“Given the inconsistency of the Israeli regime and the lack of progress in the negotiations in Doha, this ban came into effect on Tuesday night (March 11, 2025)”, he said, adding that any Israeli ship that passes through the declared operational zone, including the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden will be targeted.

Earlier this month, Leader of Ansarullah movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi issued a four-day ultimatum to Israel to either allow aid into Gaza or face a naval blockade, which expired on March 11.

The top Yemeni diplomat, in his letters, made it clear that “the ban will continue until Gaza crossings are reopened and humanitarian aid is allowed to enter the besieged Palestinian territory."

The U.N. calls for utmost restraint

Amid the Yemeni ban on Israeli ships, the United States conducted dozens of airstrikes on multiple locations across the country at the weekend, which left 53 people dead, including civilians, according to the Health Ministry in Sana'a. That prompted retaliation from Yemen that pounded the U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, with two separate missile attacks in the Red Sea within 24 hours.

On Sunday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to all military activities and demanded all parties show exercise restraint.

“An additional escalation could exacerbate regional tensions, fuel cycles of retaliation that may further destabilize Yemen and the region,” Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the secretary-general said in a statement.

"We call for utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities," said Dujarric, adding that the UN emphasizes that international law, including international humanitarian law, must be respected at all times.

The U.N. spokesman also emphasized the great humanitarian risks facing Yemen and warned that an escalation of the conflict could severely impact the current critical situation there.

Regional concern after U.S. aggression against Yemen

Oman also said it is following with great concern the ongoing developments, the humanitarian consequences and civilian casualties resulting from attacks on Yemen.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the continuation of military operations that increase the suffering of the Yemeni people and instability in the region.

Several regional countries, including Iran, also warned against the consequences of the continuation of the U.S.-led attacks on Yemen.