Yemen Announces Phase Four of Naval Blockade on the Enemy: Fire Stretching from Bab al‑Mandeb to the Mediterranean

Last updated Jul 28, 2025

In a highly significant military development, the Yemeni Armed Forces declared on Sunday, 27 July 2025 CE, the commencement of Phase Four of naval blockade operations against the Zionist enemy. They noted that “the precision operations will expand geographically,” sending a direct message to Washington and Tel Aviv that the era of safe passage to the occupied territories’ ports is over.

When Yemen Takes on the Task of Breaking Gaza’s Siege

The announcement coincided with the intensification of Zionist massacres in Gaza—particularly the brutal slaughter in Rafah and the besieged refugee camps. This timing is neither accidental nor spontaneous; Yemen, which from the earliest hours of the Gaza onslaught pledged its support to Palestinian resistance, now makes clear that every new wave of bloodshed against Gaza’s children will be met by an expansion of Yemen’s response.

Brigadier General Abdulghani Al‑Zubaidi emphasized that Yemen’s decision “carries at its core an appeal to the world to stop the aggression,” stressing that “Yemen is not waging war on anyone; it simply demands an end to Zionist crimes and the cutting of the enemy’s lifeline.”

Lebanese media figure Khalil Nasrallah described this escalation as “the gravest threat to the Americans,” since declaring a blanket targeting policy nullifies the previous exemptions enjoyed by Western-flagged vessels.

Statement of Position: Clarity in Decision and Inclusiveness in Message

In its military communiqué, the Armed Forces affirmed that any ship belonging to companies servicing Zionist ports will be deemed a legitimate target—regardless of its flag, destination, or location at sea. This marks an unprecedented operational expansion to include the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and even the Mediterranean.

Palestinian expert Adel Shadid called the move “a major qualitative shift ushering in a new phase of deterrence,” noting that “this escalation is not symbolic—it is a strategic battle that raises the cost of any dealings with the occupier,” and warned that Haifa port is now under threat.

Yemeni politician Sufyan Al‑Amari added that this step “comes amid declining American guarantees,” asserting that “any company trading with occupation ports—from Turkey, Jordan, or the Gulf—will pay the price.”

Smart Tactics: Paralyzing Navigation at Minimal Cost

Yemen’s strategy relies on low-cost, high-precision tactics—drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. Brigadier General Ali Abi Ra’d described these operations as “smart warfare” that has humiliated the U.S. Navy:

“Drones costing thousands force Washington to fire interceptor missiles worth millions, then withdraw to rearm.”

General Al‑Zubaidi confirmed that striking ships in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean has become a real possibility, underlining the expansion of Yemen’s target bank. Brigadier General Nidal Zahwi stated:

“Yemeni hands will reach anyone dealing with the enemy in any maritime arena, including the Mediterranean—an unexpected step for those who thought Yemen was confined to the Red Sea.”

Strategic Shifts: From Reactive Deterrence to Imposing Reality

Phase Four represents a shift from “reactive response” to “imposing the equation,” with Sana’a dictating maritime terms from a position of strength, leveraging:

Strategic control of Bab al‑Mandeb.
Possession of interceptor systems threatening advanced Israeli combat aircraft.
Growing ability to strike moving targets at high precision at sea.

Brigadier General Omar Mariboni affirmed:

“What we’re witnessing is not a media threat but an operational field policy that will shake American and Zionist calculations,” adding that “full maritime isolation may be the next step.”

Yemen’s Dual Message: Ethics, Politics, and Deterrence

Ethical Dimension: Yemen’s position is clear—there is no neutrality on moral grounds. Targeting companies dealing with the enemy isn’t aggression but a humanitarian stance. As General Al‑Zubaidi put it:

“This message is not a threat but a call to the global conscience.”

Political Dimension: The decision breaks the silence of complicit regimes and exposes normalization alliances. Dr. Ali Hamia described Phase Four as “a wake‑up call to slumbering regimes that dealing with the occupier is costly,” predicting it will sever commercial ties between Israel and countries like Turkey and other normalization regimes.

Strategic Dimension: Yemen has embarrassed Washington and its allies without military losses. Sufyan Al‑Amari noted this could pave the way for Phase Five—an even greater escalation in blockade measures and potentially precision offensive operations.

A New Deterrence Arena: Washington and Europe Under Fire

With U.S. offensive operations halted since May 2025, Yemen has redrawn the balance of power. According to the U.S. Naval Institute, the U.S. Navy has faced “unprecedented engagements since World War II,” which Brigadier General Ali Abi Ra’d characterized as “an unannounced defeat of the world’s mightiest force.”

Tangible Outcomes:

Closure of Eilat port due to Yemen’s blockade.
Complete sinking of vessels like ETERNITY C, forcing companies to broadcast their non‑involvement via radio.

Palestinian expert Adel Shadid noted that these measures have driven maritime insurance costs for companies trading with Israel to catastrophic levels.

After the Escalation: Yemen as an Emerging Regional Power

Yemen is no longer merely a partner in Gaza’s struggle but a strategic actor reshaping the conflict’s balance. As Shadid said:

“Sana’a has become a bastion of steadfastness, redefining the Arab alliance with Palestine.”

General Al‑Zubaidi described Yemen as “an intelligence black hole that cannot be penetrated,” while General Mariboni observed that this is not only political or military support but also “a genuine morale boost for the Palestinian people amid suspicious Arab silence.”

A New Equation in Deterrence and Sovereignty

Phase Four of the naval blockade proves that sovereign will and independent decision‑making outweigh hollow alliances. While other Arab regimes busy themselves appeasing Washington and Tel Aviv, Sana’a has forged its own path in defending the nation’s causes and asserting its word at sea.

Dr. Ali Hamia concluded:

“Not a single ship bound for the occupier will pass unscathed—this will lead to genuine economic isolation of the Zionists.”

Thus, Zionist navigation through international waterways will only resume by Yemen’s decree, and Western fleets will not regain confidence as long as Yemen’s hand remains raised over Bab al‑Mandeb. The era of silence is over; the era of genuine support and decisive deterrence has begun.