The Invisible Conflict: How the War in the Red Sea Affects Your Pocketo.
Historic context
El Red Sea It has been, since time immemorial, a sea route of crucial importance for global trade. It connects Europe, through the Mediterranean Sea, with East Africa, the Middle East through the Persian Gulf, and with Asia, through the Indian Ocean.
This route facilitates the transport of goods and merchandise between continents, avoiding the need to border the African continent, which lengthens journeys and increases costs significantly.
Three key points on this route are the Suez Canal, the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, which act as the entrance and exit of the Red Sea.
Its control is fundamental for global trade and, therefore, becomes a scenario of great geopolitical interest, especially in the context of the war in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, a Shiite rebel group in Yemen, emerged with the intention of overthrowing Yemen's Sunni government established in the 90s, a regime that maintained good relations with Saudi Arabia, Sunni, and the United States, leader of the West.
After years of conflict, the Houthis achieved their objective and took power in Yemen, consolidating their influence in the region, and contributing to the development of the war in the Red Sea.
Hamas
Recently, the situation in the Middle East has escalated with the terrorist attack by Hamas, a Sunni group, against Israel.
In response, the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has decided to invade the Gaza Strip with the aim of eradicating Hamas.
This conflict has generated a chain reaction in the region, awakening old alliances and enmities, and escalating the war in the Red Sea.
Despite the historical rivalry between Shiites and Sunnis, the Houthis have decided to put aside their sectarian differences in this specific context.
As part of Arab identity, the Houthis share anti-Semitic sentiment and opposition to Israel.
This common sentiment has led the Houthis to support Palestine and, by extension, Hamas, despite religious differences.
In this framework, the war in the Red Sea becomes a key element to understand regional dynamics.
But the Houthis' support has not been limited to statements of solidarity.
Houthi measures
They have taken concrete measures in the geopolitical scenario, threatening to attack Israeli and American ships transiting the Red Sea, especially in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, which are under their territorial influence.
This strait is a critical strategic point, as any disruption to shipping traffic here could have significant repercussions on global trade, exacerbating the war in the Red Sea.
Attacking ships in this region would not only affect Israel, but also the United States and the global economy in general.
It is a way of showing power and influencing the development of the conflict, extending the theater of operations beyond the borders of Israel and Gaza.
These types of actions underline the strategic importance of controlling sea routes in the Red Sea and the impact that regional conflicts can have on international trade, especially in times of war in the Red Sea.
Operation “Guardian of Prosperity”
Faced with this threat and the advance of the war in the Red Sea, the United States requested the support of several countries, including the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
These countries initially collaborated on the operation, which consisted primarily of airstrikes with missiles targeting Houthi infrastructure, including those used to intercept ships in the region.
In addition, the operation included rescue missions in case of Houthi attacks.
However, as time went by, several of these countries began to question the nature of the mission.
Many began to perceive it more as an operation with predominantly American interests and less as a coordinated effort to protect global trade.
Furthermore, some countries considered that supporting the operation indirectly implied supporting Israel, an aspect that generated discomfort in European capitals and other nations involved, increasing the complexity of the war in the Red Sea.
Criticism grew to the point where Spain, France, Italy, Australia, Denmark and Norway decided to withdraw their support for Operation Guardian of Prosperity.
Egypt, for its part, chose not to participate, preferring to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel rather than get involved militarily.
Saudi Arabia also stayed away, fearing that its involvement in the operation could escalate tensions with the Houthis, who are already backed by Iran, a sworn enemy of Saudi Arabia due to competition for influence in the region. .
These diplomatic and military moves highlight the global impact of the war in the Red Sea.
The European Response: “Operation Aspides”
With the withdrawal of several allies and given the persistence of Houthi attacks, the European Union decided to launch a complementary operation to the one led by the United States.
This new mission, called “Operation Aspides”, is led by Italy and is based in Greece.
The operation is purely defensive in nature and focuses on escorting ships and shooting down missiles and drones launched by the Houthis, in the context of the war in the Red Sea.
Four frigates from France, Germany, Greece and Italy form the core of this operation.
Unlike the US initiative, “Operation Aspides” does not include offensive attacks, but is limited to protecting international maritime traffic, ensuring that ships transiting the region can do so safely, despite the challenges imposed by the war in the Red Sea.
Despite international efforts, the Houthis have maintained their attacks, not only against Israeli and American ships, but also against any vessel heading to Israel, regardless of nationality.
For example, the attack on the NYK Line ship from Japan, the Unity Explorer and Rubymar ship from the United Kingdom, the Tutor from Greece, the Verbena from Palau, the MSC Tavvishi 200 from Cyprus and the Norderney 2012 from Germany.
This has further complicated the situation, extending the threat to other nations that have until now remained on the sidelines of the conflict, and increasing tensions in the war in the Red Sea.
Economic consequences
Among the companies that have stopped operating in the Red Sea are shipping giants such as CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, COSCO and MSC.
In addition, the Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen and other major companies such as Mitsui OSK Lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, CH Robinson, Euronav, Evergreen, Frontline and Gram Car Carriers have also ceased operations on this route, mainly due to the war in the Red Sea. .
The result of these suspensions has been a drastic reduction in container traffic in the Red Sea, estimated at 65%.
And it has forced shipping companies to look for alternative routes to transport goods.
Instead of using the Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, many shipping companies have chosen to skirt the African continent, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
This alternative route adds approximately 6.500 kilometers to the trip, meaning several additional days at sea.
This diversion not only lengthens delivery times, but also significantly increases the operating costs of shipping companies.
The increase in distance implies greater fuel consumption, which translates into an increase in transportation costs.
Additional costs as a result
As a consequence, transportation costs have become more expensive, an additional cost that is inevitably passed on to end consumers.
These logistical and economic challenges are directly attributable to the war in the Red Sea.
This increase in shipping costs has effects on the global economy as it can contribute to inflation.
Products transported through these routes, from daily consumer goods to essential raw materials, reach markets with higher prices, which affects the purchasing power of consumers and can have an inflationary impact on many economies.
This economic impact underlines the seriousness of the war in the Red Sea and its relevance on the international scene.
Jurist and internationalist. Paralegal and analyst at RELACIÓNATEYPUNTO.
