NUNZIUM

The Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, has emerged as the newest geopolitical hotspot due to persistent attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi group based in Yemen. In response, the US and its allies are considering the establishment of a multinational task force to ensure safe passage in this region, which sees over six million barrels of oil pass through daily, primarily to Europe.

US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with other nations to form a "maritime task force". The proposed 12-nation coalition would include warships from the US, France, the UK, and Israel, potentially increasing the number of warships and enabling attacks on Houthi targets within Yemen.

The Houthis have been targeting vessels in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the world's third-largest choke point for oil shipments. Their retaliation to Israel's bombardment of Gaza escalated with the capture of the Galaxy Leader in November, and subsequent rocket and drone attacks on commercial and naval vessels. This has prompted an increased presence of American and French navies in the Red Sea to safeguard against Houthi attacks.

The Houthi group's history of attacking Red Sea vessels, including the Al Madinah frigate in 2017 and two Saudi oil tankers in 2018, has led the US to contemplate designating the group as a "terror organization". The recent attacks have caused significant disruptions, including fires on the Liberia-flagged vessels Al-Jasrah and MSC Palatium III. Consequently, shipping companies Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended all journeys through the Red Sea.

The Houthis, who have claimed responsibility for firing missiles at two ships, have stated their intent to target any ship travelling to Israel, irrespective of its nationality. This is viewed as a pressure tactic against Israel during its offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in over 18,700 fatalities in the two-month-old war against Hamas.

The escalating situation has also led to a surge in insurance costs for ships transiting the area, with increases amounting to tens of thousands of dollars for larger vessels like oil tankers. The rebels have attempted to hijack and capture several ships, succeeding at least once in November, and typically order them to surrender and head to a Yemeni port, opening fire if they do not comply.

As the tensions continue to rise, US, French, and British warships patrol the area, shooting several missiles out of the sky. While the Houthis are the ones pulling the trigger, as Sullivan puts it, they're being handed the gun by Iran. As the world watches this evolving situation, it's clear that the Red Sea has become a high-stakes geopolitical chessboard.