A grotesque Garbage Pail Kids-style Houthi permit-desk kid with baggy eyes and ragged clothes lashes an extremely long slimy tongue toward a ship-shaped permit beside a laptop, against a simple Red Sea backdrop.

Houthi Louie

Why Shippers Are Emailing Yemen’s Houthis for Red Sea Passage Permits

Published November 7, 2026

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Reports say some shipping firms are contacting Yemen’s Houthi rebels by email to seek safe passage through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. This card turns the unusual permit-by-inbox arrangement into a grotesque cartoon gag.

The Real Story

News reports say shipping firms seeking to cross the Red Sea chokepoint of Bab al-Mandab have reportedly contacted Yemen’s Houthi movement by email. The reported process involves seeking permission for safe passage and signing up for alerts. The accounts describe an unusual arrangement amid Houthi control and threats affecting maritime traffic in the area. The story is based on media reports, and the exact procedures may vary.

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