A maritime navigation prohibition to and from the Port of Haifa (ILHFA) has been officially imposed

Sana'a – In accordance with the announcement issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces on 19 May 2025, regarding the imposition of a maritime prohibition on the Port of Haifa. The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) issued a decision concerning the prohibition on maritime navigation to and from Port of Haifa (ILHFA). 

The Executive Director of the (HOCC) stated: "The usurping Israeli entity continues to escalate its aggression against the Gaza Strip, persistently committing acts of genocide against the Palestinian people, including the deliberate targeting of civilians—particularly children and women—as well as preventing the entry of medicines and humanitarian food aid. In light of the religious, humanitarian, and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people and their suffering under a cruel blockade and ongoing horrific massacres perpetrated by the Israeli entity, a decision has been made to impose a comprehensive ban on maritime navigation to and from the Port of Haifa".

The decision was issued pursuant to Law No. (5) of the year 1445 AH regarding the designation of states, entities and persons hostile to the Republic of Yemen, and the Sanctions Regulation on Supporters of the Usurping Zionist Entity (SR-SUZE).

This decision shall enter into force on 20 May 2025 at 00:01 Sana'a local time, corresponding to 19 May 2025 at 21:01 (UTC).

Pursuant to the foregoing, the HOCC sent emails to shipping companies emphasizing the need to exercise due diligence to ensure they do not violate the prohibition order. The risks of exposure to sanctions were also outlined.

Consequences of the Sanctions:

As a result of the measure taken today, any violation of the decision (entry into the Port of Haifa) shall classify the violating companies as supporters of the usurping Zionist entity. Consequently, they will be subject to sanctions in accordance with the Sanctions Regulation on Supporters of the Usurping Zionist Entity (SR-SUZE), and their fleets will be listed on the (SUZE) sanctions list. The fleets of these companies will be prohibited from transiting the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Moreover, they will be subject to targeting wherever they may be reached by the Yemeni Armed Forces.

Furthermore, upon listing the violating companies on the sanctions list, and in accordance with the Sanctions Regulation (SR-SUZE), all States, entities, and persons are prohibited from engaging in any form of dealings with the sanctioned companies. It is also prohibited to use agents, intermediary companies, shell companies, or third parties to carry out prohibited transactions on behalf of the listed companies. Participation in any transactions with the sanctioned companies entails the risk of being subjected to sanctions.

Sanctions on companies violating the prohibition decision may also be extended to entities in which such companies have a stake, as well as to senior executives or beneficial owners of the listed companies, the spouses and first-degree relatives of the listed natural persons, entities where listed natural persons hold senior management positions, and entities controlled or established and managed by the listed natural persons, in addition to those engaging in dealings with them. For further information regarding sanctions applicable to parties dealing with entities listed on the sanctions lists, please refer to the (SR-SUZE)

It should also be noted that the power and integrity of the sanctions imposed by the (HOCC) derive not only from its ability to designate entities, persons, and add them to the sanctions list, but also from its readiness to delist them in accordance with relevant regulations. The ultimate goal of the sanctions is not punishment in itself, but to bring about positive behavioral change. For more information on delisting from the sanctions lists, please refer to the (SR-SUZE).

We hope it is understood that the measures undertaken through the sanctions are part of our religious, humanitarian, and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people. These measures aim to exert pressure on the usurping Israeli entity to cease its aggression, open the crossings to the Gaza Strip, and allow the entry of food, medicine, and humanitarian aid.

The full text of the decision is available at the following link: Decision No (PD-05-25-002) Concerning the Comprehensive Prohibition of Maritime Navigation to and from Port of Haifa (ILHFA)