Growing regional anger over Gaza's devastation, where over 21,822 Palestinians, including 8,800 children, have been killed in less than three months by Israeli military attacks, fuels Red Sea unrest.
Following a US attack on Yemen's Ansarullah, they reported losing at least 10 fighters in the Red Sea clashes on Sunday, marking the first direct US-Ansarullah engagement since Oct. 7.
Ansarullah stated that their vessels aimed to secure navigation and prevent Israeli ships from passing through the Red Sea.
Despite the US emphasis on safeguarding global maritime routes, the attack caused a significant shipping halt, with Maersk delaying all transits for 48 hours, prompting other companies to closely monitor developments.
Robert Khachatryan of Freight Right Global Logistics described the attack as an "escalation," emphasizing the impracticality of military escorts for all vessels navigating the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
“It’s one of the most important, most vital commercial waterways in the world,” John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the National Security Council, said Sunday on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Moreover, the Biden administration has been criticized by US lawmakers as well.
Although the attack by the US seems to be a sign of escalating tensions, Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Sunday on ABC’s This Week that the Biden administration had been “very timid.”
Back on December 19, the US announced a global naval task force to safeguard shipping in the contentious waters.
However, out of the 20 countries, only the United Kingdom has directly contributed warships, leaving Washington to effectively “act alone” against Ansarullah, reported Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar from Djibouti on the edge of the Red Sea.
Britain also plans to coordinate with the United States to execute targeted missile strikes.
The potential targets include locations in the Red Sea or mainland Yemen, the base of Ansarullah.
The decision follows a warning from Grant Shapps, the UK Defence Secretary. On Sunday, Shapps stated, “If the Houthis continue to threaten lives and trade, we will be forced to take the necessary and appropriate action.”
While the presence of the US-led coalition at first seemed to restore some confidence in the route, the coalition failed to be carried out due to several reasons.
Firstly, the US has consistently supported Israel, overlooking the extent of war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.
Secondly, Ansarullah has consistently asserted that their attacks are a direct response to Israeli war crimes within the besieged enclave. They have conveyed that ceasing the Tel Aviv regime's acts of genocide in the enclave would prompt an end to their attacks.
Thirdly, it's crucial to note that Ansarullah has specifically targeted vessels associated with Israel, not all commercial ships. The rationale provided by the so-called coalition has failed to convincingly sway countries into aligning with US forces in the Red Sea.
While the US seeks answers to Ansarullah attacks in the Red Sea, the core issue is Tel Aviv's aggressive actions against defenseless Palestinians.
Al Jazeera's Serdar noted that the US naval forces have been unable to deter Ansarullah fighters, who continue their attacks amidst Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
The frequency of Ansarullah strikes is linked to Israel's actions.
Military intervention by the US in the Red Sea to support Israel could worsen the situation, potentially provoking retaliation from the Yemenis. Resolving the Red Sea issue hinges on ending Israeli offenses in Gaza.
By Alireza Akbari
First published by Tehran Times