Houthis Position Missiles and Drones Near Bab El-Mandeb on July 21, JMIC Reports

According to the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), a multinational maritime surveillance organization led by U.S. Central Command, Houthi forces have completed preparations to attack ships near the Bab El-Mandeb Strait on July 21 (local time), positioning missiles and drones in the area, citing sources close to the Iranian-backed militia.

However, JMIC assessed that commercial shipping through the southern Red Sea and Bab El-Mandeb Strait has remained stable, with no confirmed attacks on merchant vessels reported over the past 48 hours. Shipping routes and transit patterns have shown no changes. Separately, reports indicate Iran has instructed the Houthis to prepare to blockade Red Sea oil shipping routes should the U.S. attack Iranian power infrastructure. JMIC rates the threat level in Bab El-Mandeb as moderate and maintains a severe rating for the Strait of Hormuz.