Yemen Bans US Crude Oil Exports Through Red Sea in Response to Aggression

By Staff, Agencies

The Yemeni government has declared a ban on the export, re-export, purchase and transit of US crude oil through the Red Sea and surrounding regional waters, effective May 17, in retaliation for what it describes as continued American military aggression against Yemen and its civilian population.

In a press statement issued by the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center [HOCC], Yemen stated that the decision comes as the "American enemy" persists in launching airstrikes across several provinces, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties, including women and children.

The HOCC cited the April 17 attack on the Ras Issa oil port in Hodeida Governorate—where workers and civilian facilities were targeted—as one of the most egregious war crimes committed by the US.

The new sanctions prohibit any involvement with US crude oil [HS Code 2709.00], whether through direct or indirect means, including ship-to-ship transfers and dealings conducted via third parties.

The ban applies to any such activities originating from US ports, with violators being blacklisted and denied access to strategic waterways including the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

Exemptions will be considered on humanitarian grounds or for countries and entities that oppose US policies, provided they submit formal requests to the Yemeni government.

Nasruddin Amer, a senior member of Yemen’s Ansarullah resistance movement, emphasized via X that all entities engaging with banned companies risk being sanctioned. He stated that restrictions could extend to affiliates, shareholders, senior management, family members and any associated entities linked to the blacklisted individuals or corporations.

Amer reiterated that the ban is part of Yemen’s legitimate right to respond to US war crimes, infrastructure sabotage, and resource plundering.

This move comes amid Yemen’s broader campaign in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where “Israel’s” war has led to tens of thousands of civilian deaths.

Since October 2023, Yemeni forces have intensified operations on “Israeli” targets and shipping routes linked to the occupation. In response, the US formed a maritime task force in December to protect vessels bound for “Israeli”-controlled ports—a move that has only heightened tensions and escalated regional hostilities.