Given the dangers posed to those aboard Red Sea merchant ships because of attacks by Iran-backed Houthis and the economic problems that are being caused by the attacks, shipping firms are now calling for Red Sea vessels to have armed guards, which poses some logistics problems, as pointed out in the article below.
Italy’s defense minister recently stated that Houthi attacks are now threatening Italy’s economic stability.
And not only Italy. The Red Sea is a critically important route for companies that are shipping goods from Asia to Europe.
It accounts for some “15% of total global sea trade”. Those goods are now costing more to ship and take longer to arrive as the ships face attacks.
India has now joined the Red Sea Coalition to protect ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis are also now threatening to “sabotage western internet cables in Red Sea”.
The Houthis, like all jihadists, know the power of buying time to defeat their enemies.
Westerners are the ones constantly exercising restraint and displaying tolerance.
Indeed, caution is required so as to not escalate further the tensions in the region, but it’s a balance, because at the same time, the Houthis will only escalate unless they are met with a tough response.
The ship owners’ association in the Netherlands — The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) — presented a possible deterrent.
The KVNR rightly wants to see the Netherlands and the EU weaken “the Houthis’ capacity by shooting down drones and targeting radar equipment and rocket launchers”.
