Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
20 December 2023 | 10:48 a.m. CAT
2-min read

In the Media Lens on Radio Islam International with Hafez Ibrahim Deen, the disruption in major shipping operations in the Red Sea was discussed.

In response to the continuing massacre on Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen are targeting cargo ships navigating the Bab al-Mindab Strait. The strait is well known as the str

“Since the start of the recent massacres in Gaza, none have expressed support more than the Houthis in Yemen. They have actually initially tried directly attacking Israel itself, but the drones were intercepted. They also wanted to send fighters to Gaza,” Hafez Deen said.

The Bab al-Mindab Strait, also known as the Strait of Tears, is a crucial 20-mile-wide passage for 12% of global trade and 30% of global container shipping and has witnessed increased attacks on cargo ships.

This has compelled seven of the ten largest shipping companies to reroute through the Cape of Good Hope, leading to increased shipping costs and a notable spike in oil prices by $4 per barrel.

Deen explained that the rise in oil prices is not due to supply scarcity but stems from the extended two-week travel distance resulting from ships circumventing Cape Town. The increased travel costs, augmented shipping fuel expenses, and heightened insurance costs contribute to the overall surge in fuel prices.

Criticism was directed at the media’s biased coverage, emphasising the attacks without providing sufficient context or exploring the reasons and consequences. The US responded by attempting to form a maritime shipping coalition, although challenges arise due to the sheer volume of ships in the affected area.

“The media coverage lacks context, presenting biased narratives on Houthi attacks without delving into reasons, consequences, or the US warship presence,” Hafez Deen noted. “There is no real contextualised coverage on most media outlets. And that actually fuels the sentiment of the Houthis just making and undertaking an irrational move, when in actual fact it’s very rational and has very real consequences that show some people in the Middle East haven’t yet foregone the Palestinian cause.”

The interview covered the geopolitical implications, with a focus on the involvement of regional players. The newly formed maritime coalition includes the US, Canada, and Norway, but notably lacks Middle Eastern countries, except Bahrain. Regional powers, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, remain cautious, emphasising their interests and relations with Israel.

The discussion highlighted the Houthi’s historical significance, particularly their resilience in the eight-year war with Saudi Arabia. While the Houthis possess trained fighters and maintain popularity in northern Yemen, their rudimentary weaponry suggests they may not pose a direct military threat to the US. However, their disruption of Red Sea shipping routes challenges US interests in the region.

Speculations about potential US intervention and pressure on Saudi Arabia regarding the Yemeni peace process were discussed. The interview touched on potential repercussions for Europe and other Middle Eastern countries heavily reliant on the affected trade routes.

Listen to The Media Lens on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat.