Ships in Red Sea distinguishing themselves from Israeli vessels
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The world's largest shipping firms suspended their navigation through the Red Sea following the increased security risks after the US established its maritime coalition against Yemen.
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The Israeli Galaxy Leader ship docket at the port of Hodeidah after the Yemeni Armed Forces captured it in the Red Sea in November 2023 (AFP)
Many cargo ships sailing through the Red Sea have been recently resorting to clearly identifying their origin using their signals to make a notable distinction between their vessels and those linked to "Israel" or heading toward the occupation entity.
In November 2023, Sanaa declared a ban on all vessels affiliated with "Israel" or bound to it from passing through the Red and Arabian seas toward the Suez Canal in response to the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza and in support of the Strip's people.
This comes as the Health Ministry in Gaza announced in its latest report that the number of martyred individuals due to the Israeli aggression on the Strip has approached 24,000, with over 70% of whom are children and women.
The ultimatum was that either the Israeli war on Gaza stops and sufficient food and medicine is delivered to the besieged people or the equation remains in place.
Read more: After second ICJ hearing, 'Israel' cuts internet, telecoms in Gaza
Since then, the Yemeni operations have continued in the Red and Arabian seas as part of Sanaa's adamant commitment toward Palestine and Gaza.
The measures of identifying vessels taken by the Yemeni Armed Forces include issuing three radio warnings to relevant ships before launching the attacks, which aim at disrupting its sail and not destroying or sinking the vessel. Meanwhile, the Yemeni Armed Forces repeatedly stressed that all vessels that don't fit the declared criteria are safe to navigate through the strategic routes freely.
US; partner in Israeli crimes in Gaza
On the other hand, the United States was the entity's main supporter and partner in the war on Gaza, which saw Washington shutting down several UNSC resolutions for a ceasefire. In that context, the US repeatedly warned Sanaa to stop the operations.
Read more: Algeria, Morocco parties slam attack on Yemen as extension of Gaza war
After establishing a now-dead maritime war coalition in the Red Sea, the world's largest shipping firms began suspending navigation through the waterway, fearing that the militarization of the region would soon make it a war zone, especially after the US killed 10 Yemeni Navy forces in the Red Sea waters.
This was further intensified after the US and Britain carried out aggressions on Yemen on Thursday and Friday nights, with Sanaa vowing an inevitable response.
Although the US has claimed the strikes have been significant, many observers have questioned this rhetoric.
According to a report published by The New York Times on Saturday, analysts said that the US-UK aggression will do little to deter Yemen from continuing its operations in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, officials noted that the lack of participation from France and Italy "exposed cracks" in the international community's response to supposedly common concerns.
