News – Yemen: A British website has reported that the Yemeni Armed Forces’ announcement of entering the “fourth phase” of the naval blockade against the Zionist entity marks a significant strategic shift in the course of the maritime conflict.

According to The Lodestar, a UK-based site specializing in maritime affairs, this new phase paves the way for an unprecedented expansion in the list of targets, placing major global shipping companies in the line of fire — even if their dealings with the entity are indirect.

The report stated that the latest Yemeni decision enforces new rules targeting vessels of any company that conducts business with Israeli ports, regardless of the nature of those transactions.

Maritime analysts described this development as a “wide-range targeting network.” Destine Ozegur, a maritime analyst at the Danish company ESEA, noted that this escalation — coming only two months after a period of relative de-escalation — now threatens any vessel belonging to a company that has dealings with the Zionist entity, regardless of shipment destination or cargo type.

The British report pointed out that the threat is no longer confined to companies operating direct shipping routes to the occupied territories, but now extends to major global firms such as:

Hapag-Lloyd (Germany): Reaches the occupied Haifa port through slot charter agreements, despite its vessels not directly visiting the entity.

CMA CGM (France): At risk due to its operational partnership with Danish company Maersk, which provides direct services to ports in the occupied territories.

Other companies like Evergreen, ONE, and X-Press Feeders, whose vessels regularly visit Israeli ports.

Maritime sources cited by the site warned that, under the new rules announced by the Yemeni Armed Forces, any level of commercial connection with the Zionist enemy may not shield companies from being targeted. These sources believe the latest escalation is pushing the Red Sea region and its connected trade routes into a “hotter and more complex stage.”

Direct shipping lines to the occupied territories via the Suez Canal have already been completely halted, underscoring the blockade’s effectiveness and its strategic impact on global trade.

Since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Yemen has intensified its military and economic pressure on the Zionist entity through a sustained naval blockade campaign. The Yemeni Armed Forces, in alignment with the broader Axis of Resistance, have carried out a series of escalating operations in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, targeting vessels associated with Israel or companies that support its economy.

On July 27, 2025, Yemen announced the start of the fourth phase of its naval blockade, expanding the scope of operations to include any ship affiliated with firms doing business with Israeli ports — regardless of nationality or location.