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Shipping: Houthis

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 31 March 2026UIN 123560

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential risk posed to British shipping in the Bab el Mandeb Strait by the Houthis.

Answered by Al Carns

The UK Government regularly assesses the security situation in the region including the Bab el Mandeb Strait.

The Department for Transport, supported by the Royal Navy’s UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation, continues to provide UK and Red Ensign flagged shipping with advice on the risk posed by the Houthis to merchant vessels.

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