Rising Danger in the Red Sea: Houthi Rebels Sinking Ships, Crew Forced to Reveal Religion

World News: A new front of war may soon open in West Asia, as pro-Iran Houthi rebels have started attacking and sinking cargo ships in the Red Sea. In just one week, two ships have been sunk, and fear among cargo ship crews has grown so much that many are now revealing their religious identity on tracking systems to protect themselves.

Ships Sending Religious Messages to Avoid Attacks

These messages are visible on public marine tracking systems, where some ships are broadcasting notes like "All crew members on the ship are Muslim" or "This ship has no connection with Israel." Some even claim, "All crew and management are Chinese and not supporting Israel in any way."

This unusual step shows how serious the situation has become. Cargo ships are trying to send peaceful messages to Houthi rebels, hoping to avoid being attacked.

What’s Happening in the Red Sea?

The Red Sea has become a high-risk zone for shipping. Though there is a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, the Red Sea remains unsafe due to Houthi aggression. Attacks from the Houthis have been ongoing since November 2023, but the sinking of two ships in one week marks a dangerous escalation.

• July 6: A Liberian-flagged ship called Magic Seas, operated by a Greek company, was attacked with drones and rocket grenades. All 22 crew members were rescued, but the ship eventually sank.
• July 9: Another ship, Eternity C, was attacked. Ten crew members were rescued, but 4 died and 11 are still missing.

Why Are the Houthis Attacking?

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared that any ship linked to Israel or delivering Israeli goods will be targeted. The goal appears to be to block Israel’s sea trade, especially through the Red Sea. Intelligence reports also claim that both ships attacked last week had previously stopped at Israeli ports in the last year.

Due to this, shipping companies are now hiding their identities, but defense sources believe this won't be effective because the Houthi rebels have strong intelligence networks in the region.

Global Impact: Risk of Economic Crisis

The Red Sea is a vital route for global trade:

• It handles 15% of the world’s sea trade, worth nearly $1 trillion annually.
• It carries 40% of the trade between Asia and Europe.
• It is a major route for oil exports from Arab countries.

If this route is blocked, transport costs could rise 5 times, causing a major economic impact globally.

What if the Red Sea Route is closed?

If ships cannot use the Red Sea, they will have to take a longer route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding 8,000 km and 10-13 extra days to the journey. This shift would severely affect delivery times and trade costs.

Israel Responds

In response, Israel has launched Operation Black Flag to target Houthi bases in Yemen. Military strikes are ongoing, and experts warn that a direct clash between Israel and Houthi rebels may happen soon. The Red Sea crisis is no longer just a regional issue—it is fast becoming a global concern.