Houthi Military MediaImages shared by the Houthis of an oil tanker they attacked
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Flower Damen
editor-reporter Nieuwsuur
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Flower Damen
editor-reporter Nieuwsuur
Several Dutch ships have received threatening emails from the Yemeni Houthi rebels in recent months. The Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR) confirms this News hour.
In that email, seen by News hourthe Houthis write to the ships that they are on their ‘hit list’ because they have visited the Israeli port of Haifa. “As a result, the ship will be prohibited from transiting the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and will be directly targeted by the Yemeni forces in any area they deem appropriate” , the Houthis write.
At least three Dutch ships have received a threatening email. The other ships of the shipping companies involved are also targeted when they sail through the areas mentioned, the Houthis say.
Serious threat
Aspides, the EU military mission in the Red Sea region, also confirms against News hour that shipping companies that visit Israel have received these types of threatening emails. The mission advises shipping companies not to contact the Houthis and to closely monitor the security situation.
“You have to take this threat seriously,” says Paul Bijleveld, former commander of the Ms. Karel Doorman, the largest ship in the Dutch Navy. That navy ship sailed in the Red Sea region last summer as part of the Aspides mission, which must protect ships against the Houthi threat. “The Houthis have a huge arsenal and are able to attack ships, there are now plenty of examples of this. So we will really have to take that into account.”
Both Aspides and the KVNR do not want to say exactly how many ships have received an email, so as not to endanger the crews. In addition to the Dutch ships, six Greek shipping companies also received threatening emails in recent months after they had been in an Israeli port. Reuters recently reported.
Hundred ships attacked
The Houthis are a militant Shia rebel group from Yemen. Since the start of the Yemeni civil war in 2015, the rebels have controlled part of the country.
Out of self-declared solidarity with the Palestinian people, the rebels have been targeting commercial ships flying the Israeli, American and British flag or otherwise affiliated with those countries since November last year. They do this with drones or missiles and sometimes with their own smaller ships or even a helicopter.
They attacked, among other things, this oil tanker flying the Greek flag:
Rudderless Greek oil tanker attacked by Houthis explodes in Red Sea
Since then, a hundred commercial ships and several military ships have been attacked. Two ships were sunk. At least four crew members lost their lives. The 25 people on board the hijacked Galaxy Leader have been held hostage for almost a year.
As a result of the threats, ships have been avoiding the Red Sea and surrounding waters for months. But ships sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean, in Israeli waters, are now also targets.
Backed by Iran and Russia
Expanding the list of targets fits in with the Houthis’ growing image become more prominent on the world stage. According to a recent United Nations report, they have grown from a “local armed movement with limited resources to a powerful military organization” with the help of Iran, Hezbollah, and Iraqi specialists.
“In addition to weapons, the Houthis are also receiving instructions from Iran and Hezbollah on how to operate them,” says Arabist Leo Kwarten. According to Kwarten, the rebels do not only want to show solidarity with the Palestinians. “They have taken the Gaza war as an opportunity to position themselves on the world stage.”
And they succeed, says Kwarten. “Everyone has heard of the Houthis now. And by attacking ships, they are forcing anyone who wants free passage in the Red Sea to negotiate with them.”
According to the Wall Street Journal the Houthi rebels also receive satellite information from Russia to accurately locate and attack Western ships. The Houthis announced last Sunday not to stop doing that for the time being. A Houthi spokesman said they will intensify their attacks, targeting all ships that are en route to Israel or have ever had a link with Israel, for example because they were Israeli property.
Houthi Rebels and Threats to Dutch Shipping: Stand Clear, Captain!
Ahoy, mates! Gather ’round because we are diving into a tale that’s more laden with threats than your average pirate movie. Buckle your seatbelts—if you’re sailing through the Red Sea, you might want to stow away those iPhones and steer clear of anything that even remotely resembles an Israeli connection!
The Houthi’s New Hit List
According to Nieuwsuur, our friendly neighborhood Houthi rebels have decided to send lovely little emails to Dutch ships, informing them they’re on their “hit list.” Apparently, visiting the Israeli port of Haifa is now on par with pulling the tail of a sleeping tiger. Take one wrong turn, and you could find yourself in the sights of Houthi drones or—let’s get adventurous—a helicopter! Yes, it seems that these fellows have upgraded from ‘text-based threats’ to ‘full-on military action.’ Talk about taking the “we don’t take no for an answer” attitude to a whole new level!
A Serious Situation
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “This must be a prank!” But fear not, the Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR) is taking these threats seriously. And when former commander Paul Bijleveld of the Ms. Karel Doorman—the biggest boat in the Dutch Navy, mind you—says to heed these warnings, it’s a tad nerve-wracking, to say the least. I mean, if you’ve got ex-Navy commanders telling you to run for the hills, maybe it’s best to keep your sea legs ready for a hasty retreat!
Ship Happens!
With a hundred ships already targeted and a couple sunken (along with a few unfortunate crew members), it seems the Houthis have taken their ‘Sea of Serenity’ to more of a ‘Ship Happens’ level. To spice things up, they aren’t just limiting their attention to commercial ships. No, no! The nasty little habit of pirating isn’t just for the high seas anymore—now it’s also for the Eastern Mediterranean. Good luck explaining that on your next family cruise!
All Aboard the Houthi Campaign!
Now, let’s get honest. We’ve all heard about the Houthis saving Earth by stopping traffic on its busy maritime lanes, but they have also enlisted a little help from their friends—hello, Iran and Russia! According to a recent UN report, they’ve traded in their toy guns for some serious military hardware and training. This isn’t just grassroots activism; this is full-scale maritime warfare, folks! Turns out, sending a threatening email is just the tip of the iceberg—who knew?
What’s Next?
As they ramp up their campaign, it’s safe to say that shipping companies have gone into full-on “the sky is falling” mode. The Houthi threat has transformed from an ominous email warning into a genuine blockade of the seas, and with shipping routes becoming riskier by the day, you might just find your next ship cruise is taking a detour around… well, the entire Middle East!
Conclusion: Navigate Wisely!
So, what can we make of this maritime melodrama? For one, it’s clear that the Houthis are making waves (pun totally intended) on the global stage with their robust military ambitions. If I were a Dutch ship captain, I’d be checking my GPS, my itinerary, and most importantly, my email inbox for any “we don’t like you” messages from these guys. Because, who needs the High Seas when you’ve got Houthi lunacy cruising through? Anchors aweigh, but make sure to steer clear of anything that smells like geopolitical drama!
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Flower Damen
editor-reporter Nieuwsuur
The Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR) has confirmed that multiple Dutch vessels have recently received alarming emails from Yemeni Houthi rebels, as reported by News hour.
In a detailed email to ship operators, the Houthis claimed that the vessels are on their ‘hit list’ due to previous visits to the Israeli port of Haifa. They ominously warned, “As a result, the ship will be prohibited from transiting the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and will be directly targeted by the Yemeni forces in any area they deem appropriate.”
At least three Dutch ships have reported receiving these threatening communications, with the Houthis stating that other vessels from the associated shipping companies would also face risks in the specified waterways.
Serious threat
The EU military initiative, Aspides, corroborated to News hour that shipping companies making port calls to Israel have been recipients of such intimidating emails. They advise that affected shipping companies refrain from direct contact with the Houthis and closely monitor the evolving security situation.
Former commander of the Ms. Karel Doorman, the largest vessel in the Dutch Navy, Paul Bijleveld, emphasized the gravity of the situation by stating, “You have to take this threat seriously. The Houthis have a huge arsenal and are able to attack ships; there are now plenty of examples of this. So we will really have to take that into account.”
Amid mounting fears, both Aspides and the KVNR have opted not to disclose the precise number of ships that have received threatening emails to prevent compromising the safety of their crews. Alongside the Dutch vessels, six Greek shipping companies have also been targeted in recent months after port calls in Israel, as recently reported by Reuters.
Hundred ships attacked
The Houthis, a militant Shia rebel faction based in Yemen, have exerted control over significant territory since the outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in 2015.
In a bid to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the Houthis have been launching attacks on commercial vessels linked to Israeli, American, and British interests since November of the previous year. Their attacks employ an array of tactics, including drones, missiles, and even smaller aquatic assault vessels or helicopters.
Since launching this campaign, the Houthis have reportedly attacked around one hundred commercial ships, sinking two in the process and resulting in the tragic loss of at least four crew members. Additionally, 25 personnel aboard the hijacked Galaxy Leader have been held hostage for nearly a year.
Consequently, many shipping companies have gravely reconsidered their routes, steering clear of the Red Sea and adjacent waters for many months. However, vessels traversing the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly in Israeli waters, have now found themselves ensnared in this conflict as potential targets.
Backed by Iran and Russia
The expanding list of targeted vessels highlights the Houthis’ strategic aspirations to gain a broader influence on the international stage. Insights from a recent United Nations report illustrate a dramatic evolution of the group from a relatively minor armed movement to a formidable military entity, attributed largely to the support of Iran, Hezbollah, and operational expertise from Iraqi specialists.
Reports suggest that the Houthis not only receive weapons but also critical battlefield instructions from Iranian and Hezbollah operatives. According to Arabist Leo Kwarten, this recent surge in aggression is not merely rooted in solidarity with the Palestinians, but an opportunistic effort to amplify their global profile amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Kwarten elaborates, “Everyone has heard of the Houthis now. By attacking ships, they are compelling those who wish for unimpeded navigation in the Red Sea to engage in negotiations with them.”
Furthermore, a report from the Wall Street Journal indicates that the Houthis are also utilizing satellite intelligence provided by Russia to accurately identify and target Western vessels. Recently, the Houthis reaffirmed their intent to escalate these assaults, specifically aiming at all ships that either are en route to Israel or possess any historical link to Israeli interests or ownership.
Yemen’s houthis and the expansion of iran’s axis of resistance
Growing influence of the Houthis, bolstered by support from Iran and Russia. This development has transformed them from a local insurgency to a formidable force capable of projecting power across critical maritime routes. The recent military aid they’ve received includes advanced weaponry, which has enabled them to threaten shipping lanes far from their original conflict zone in Yemen.
With the involvement of external powers, the situation is becoming increasingly complicated. The Houthis are redefining their operational capabilities, and this shift poses a significant risk not only to vessels flagged by Israel but also to international shipping that transits through the bustling waters of the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and beyond. As geopolitical tensions rise, it’s crucial for maritime operators to navigate these waters carefully and stay informed about the evolving security dynamics.
Implications for Global Trade
The implications of this threat extend beyond just the immediate risks to shipping companies. A significant percentage of global trade passes through these maritime routes, and any disruption can have ripple effects on supply chains and commodity prices worldwide. Should the Houthis continue their aggressive tactics, shipping insurers may raise premiums, and some companies may opt for longer routes, further escalating costs and transit times.
This evolving maritime threat highlights the need for a coordinated international response. Increased naval presence from affected nations, along with a robust intelligence-sharing framework, may be necessary to deter further Houthi aggression and ensure the safety of commercial maritime operations.
Final Thoughts
As we monitor this situation, one thing remains clear: the fog of war is thickening over the seas, and it’s the civilian shipping industry that could pay the highest price. The implications of the Houthis’ threats are felt far and wide, and as crew members and shipowners weigh their options in the face of these new realities, one can only hope for a swift resolution to avoid further chaos on the high seas.
So, sailors and shipowners alike: keep your navigational charts close, your intelligence networks even closer, and always be prepared for the unpredictable tides of maritime geopolitics. The ocean may be vast, but the threats are all too real!
