Introduction: On January 7, 2024, senior Houthi leader Mohammed Ali Houthi in Yemen said in a statement that in an effort to ease tensions in the Red Sea, ships would not be attacked as long as they claimed "no ties to Israel" in the Red Sea. Earlier, the United States and 12 other countries issued a joint statement demanding that the Houthis stop attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea, otherwise they will face military strikes. This article will take a closer look at this development and analyze its potential impact on the shipping crisis in the Middle East and the Palestinian issue.
Background of the situation in the Red Sea:
Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked targets in the Red Sea waters, listing Israeli-flagged ships or those owned by Israeli companies as "legitimate targets." On January 3, the United States and other countries again urged the Houthis to stop their attacks, and the UN Security Council made the same call. Tensions in the Red Sea region have led to a surge in freight rates from Asia to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and it is urgent for shipping companies to announce another increase in freight rates.
Ali Houthi's statement:
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the senior leader of Yemen's Houthi rebels, issued a statement on January 7 outlining the purpose of their operations in the Red Sea region. The statement stated that the main objective of these actions was to put an end to Israel's acts of aggression and to compel Israel to lift its siege of the Gaza Strip. In his statement, Mohammed Ali Houthi strongly criticized the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries that are trying to prevent them from intercepting Israeli ships, arguing that these countries are actually carrying out Israel's demands to provide shelter for their crimes.
He stressed that the actions against Israel were motivated by the need for self-defense and the defense of national interests, while accusing those countries that cooperate with Israel of intervening in Yemen. Mohammed Ali Houthi believes that countries that prevent them from acting are violating international law and the principles of justice and becoming supporters of Israeli aggression.
In the statement, the Houthi leaders also stressed their concern for the Gaza Strip, accusing Israel of a policy of siege in the area as a grave human rights violation against the Palestinians. They said that by taking action in the Red Sea region, they aim to draw more international attention to Israel's siege policy and to prompt the international community to take action to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The statement underscores Yemen's Houthi rebels' strong opposition to Israeli aggression and expresses their determination to defend their country and support Palestinian human rights. At the same time, they blame those who support Israel as complicit and call on the international community to condemn and stop Israel's actions.
In his statement, Mohammed Ali Houthi said that their actions in the Red Sea are aimed at stopping Israeli aggression and forcing the lifting of the siege on the Gaza Strip. He suggested to international shipping companies that ships could declare in advance that they had nothing to do with Israel in order to ensure safe passage. However, he warned that false declarations would lead to the ship being "blacklisted" and seized. The gesture shows that the Houthis seek to use diplomacy to reduce tensions in the Red Sea while protecting their interests in the region.
International Community Response:
The international community's reaction to this statement was mixed. Some countries believe that this is a positive signal to ease tensions in the Middle East and is expected to create conditions for regional peace. However, there are also countries that are skeptical of the Houthi statements, believing that they may still have actions that cannot be taken seriously and need to be treated with caution.
Expert Opinion: Some experts point out that if Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza, the situation in the Red Sea will be eased, which is expected to prevent shipping companies from detouring the Cape of Good Hope and reduce the pressure on freight rates. The current lockdown has led to a surge in freight rates from Asia to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, becoming a bottleneck for the world**. According to data provided by Fretos Cargo, an international freight booking and payment platform, the situation has led several shipping companies to announce another increase in freight rates in the middle of this month. Specifically, freight rates from Asia to the East Coast of North America have increased by 55%, while freight rates to the West Coast have surged by 63%. This trend not only has a direct impact on the shipping industry, but also poses a series of challenges to global chains and activities.
The turmoil in the Red Sea has led to a significant increase in shipping costs, mainly due to rising shipping uncertainty and security risks. In response to this change, major shipping companies have had to constantly adjust their freight policies to maintain business sustainability. This ripple effect has also rippled through producers and merchants exporting goods from Asia, who will face higher transportation costs, which could lead to the eventual impact of goods on consumers around the world.
Conclusion: The easing of tensions in the Red Sea is of great importance for the Middle East and globally. Mohammed Ali Houthi's statement offers a glimmer of hope for a solution to the Middle East shipping crisis, but long-term stability will require the joint efforts of all parties. By abiding by international law, promoting the settlement of the Palestinian issue, and maintaining the solidarity and cooperation of the international community, the Middle East region is expected to usher in a period of greater stability and make positive contributions to the development of the global economy.