New Red Sea Ship Siege: What's Happening? 🛢️
It's been another day in the Middle East, and another ship reportedly connected to Israel has been under attack. This time, the "Central Park," a British-linked oil tanker, is said to have been seized in the Red Sea. According to a US naval representative, armed individuals took control of the vessel on Nov. 26 in the Gulf of Aden.
Last Saturday, US forces and their allies were already on edge after an alleged attack on another Israeli ship in the Indian Ocean was reported. According to US military sources, a Shahed 136 drone, known to be in Iran's arsenal, supposedly damaged an Israeli businessman's ship. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.
The Houthis, a Yemeni militia backed by Iran, have been the prime suspects behind these recent events. They had previously threatened retaliation against ships with ties to Israel if they failed to divert to Hodeidah port. The Houthi rebels see themselves as part of a broader "Axis of Resistance" that includes other Iran-supported groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
This isn't the first time the Houthis have targeted vessels. In late August, they claimed to have captured a ship in the Red Sea and transported it to the Yemeni coast. Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was where the assumed targets' transmissions for locating the ship suddenly cut out.
The increased tensions in the region have led to several shipping companies suspending voyages through the Red Sea. Instead, vessels are now opting to travel around southern Africa to steer clear of potential threats. The situations have resulted in substantial damages and losses, prompting both the United States and the United Kingdom to launch airstrikes in retaliation.
Insights: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as geopolitical tensions, are driving the recent attacks on ships with ties to Israel. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, are believed to be the main culprits behind these attacks. International shipping companies have been impacted due to these tensions, leading several firms to either suspend voyages or alter their routes to avoid potential threats.
