Priority Broadcast Alert – Indian Ocean Region

On 7 March, Ansar Allah (“the Houthis”) announced, with respect to the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations: “We will give a four-day deadline, this is a deadline for mediators in their efforts. If the Israeli enemy continues after four days to prevent the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and continues to completely close the crossings and prevent the entry of food and medicine into the Gaza Strip, we will return to resume our operations. The navy against the Israeli enemy…our words are quite clear, and we meet the siege with the blockade.” Ambrey assesses this to be a maritime threat, as the Houthi attacks on Israel-linked shipping have been described as a blockade. The Houthi statement included criticism of US support, including the provision of weapons to Israel, but did not mention the UK. The US announced earlier in March that it would repeal a Biden administration-imposed partial embargo on the delivery of weapons to Israel. Ambrey assessed the situation to be deteriorating and will provide updates when available.
ADVICE: Ambrey advises merchant shipping to check their affiliation with the Houthi target profile, and to reassess the risk to voyages through the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Vessels with a medium-high affiliation are advised to consider naval close protection or to reconsider the transit.