IASNOVA
Important topic for Map-based questions.
The area comprising Red Sea, Suez Canal, Bab el-Mandeb strait, Gulf of Aden etc should be studied from Atlas.
Houthi Atttacks
Yemen’s Houthi group have launched attacks, using drones and missiles, on commercial ships at the southern end of the Red Sea. This has prompted many companies to suspend all Red Sea shipping transits. As a consequence, global oil prices continue their rise and the shares of firms transporting everything — from manufactured goods to oil and commodities — are driving up.
Who are Houthi militants?
Houthi rebels are backed by Iran. They seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, launching a grinding war. They are formally known as Ansar Allah, or the “partisans of God.” As of now, the Yemeni rebel group controls the west of the country, including its Red Sea coast.
Why are Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting ships?
Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea to show support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel’s military offensive in Hams-ruled Gaza continues since October 7.
The Houthi group has reportedly vowed to continue operations targeting Israeli ships or vessels headed to Israeli ports. The Houthis stepped up the attacks on November 19, starting with the seizure of the Galaxy Leader vessel.
Where Houthi rebels have been targeting exactly?
The Red Sea is the world’s main East-West trade route. It lies south of the Suez Canal. Now, the Houthi attacks have made reaching the Suez Canal more perilous. They have disrupted a key trade route that links Europe and North America with Asia via the Suez Canal.
At the southern end of the Red Sea is a narrow strait of water between Djibouti and Yemen: the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This is the area that the Houthi rebels in Yemen have been targeting, the Guardian explained.
Red Sea Attacks and Global Trade Disruption
Overview: Disruptions in two key shipping routes, the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, have significantly impacted global trade.
Suez Canal Disruption:
- Attacks in the Red Sea area led to a 50% drop in trade through the Suez Canal in early 2024, compared to the previous year.
- The Suez Canal is vital for maritime trade, 15% of world shipping traffic including roughly 30% of global container trade passes through the Suez Canal.
- Companies have rerouted ships around the Cape of Good Hope, extending delivery times by over 10 days, affecting those with limited inventories.
Panama Canal Disruption:
- A severe drought has reduced daily ship crossings due to imposed restrictions, decreasing trade volume by 32%.
- The Panama Canal accounts for about 5% of global maritime trade.
Trade Volume Changes:
- An estimated 74% increase in trade volume around the Cape of Good Hope due to diversions from the Suez Canal.
- A 6.7% decrease in port calls in sub-Saharan Africa and around 5.3% in the European Union and the Middle East and Central Asia.
Economic Implications:
- Longer shipping times are causing transitory supply chain issues and potential inflationary pressures due to higher shipping costs.
- The reliability of official trade statistics might be compromised, making it harder to assess global trade and economic momentum.
- Merchandise trade reports may show altered import growth rates, with delays affecting recorded imports and exports.
- Low-income countries reliant on import duties and export taxes might face unexpected fiscal revenue shortfalls.
Indian Response
- Target Expansion: Initial attacks targeted ships with direct links to Israel; recent attacks broadened to countries perceived as supporting Israel.
- Impact on India:
- India, maintaining a neutral stance in the Israel-Palestine conflict, was drawn into the crisis with attacks on commercial ships heading to or docked in Indian ports.
- Instances include hijacking en route to Pipavav, projectile attack on MV Chem Pluto in Mangalore Port, and drone attack on a Gabon-flagged vessel with an Indian crew.
Indian Navy’s Response
- Deployment of Maritime Assets: Surveillance drones, patrol aircraft, off-shore patrol vessels, guided missile destroyers, and frigates.
- Large-Scale Exercise: Conducted in the Arabian Sea, involving twin-carrier operations and over 35 aircraft.
- Rescue Operations: Responded to distress calls, ensuring the safety of ships and crews in danger.
International Response
Operation Prosperity Guardian
The US has introduced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an enhanced naval protection force in the southern Red Sea to counter Houthi attacks on merchant shipping under the Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153).
Operation Prosperity Guardian includes participation from the UK, with HMS Diamond contributing alongside three US destroyers.
The Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) is a United States Navy-led initiative that focuses on Red Sea Maritime Security. It was established in 2022 and is one of five task forces operated by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
Mission Aspides
The European Union launched a bespoke naval mission to protect commercial vessels in the Red Sea from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Mission ‘Aspides’ – Greek for shield – will aim to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Indian Navy’s Anti-Piracy Operation in the Arabian Sea
Incident Overview: Malta-flagged MV Ruen was hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea, prompting an immediate response from the Indian Navy, which intercepted and monitored the vessel’s movement toward Somalia.
International Collaboration: The operation saw cooperation with the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in maritime security efforts.
Understanding Maritime Piracy:
Definition: As per UNCLOS Article 101, piracy involves acts of violence, detention, or depredation committed on the high seas or outside any state’s jurisdiction, with the intent of personal gain.
Key Areas: Piracy hotspots include Northwest Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
