STC' pivotal role in securing the global corridors (South Eye overview)

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The Impact of Houthis Attacks in The Red & Arabian Sea

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The repercussions of Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea, what STC' collaboration & propsed role will do?

Economic impact: Who Benefits?

Analysis | Eyn Algnoub Exclusive

The Red Sea, one of the most crucial maritime passages globally, sees numerous commercial ships and vital oil tankers pass through its waters, which are essential to the global economy. However, following the escalation of Houthi attacks, this vital corridor has become increasingly unsafe, as these attacks directly threaten the safety of ships and place the region's stability and the global economy in a new crisis, especially after the Ukraine-Russia war had already significantly impacted the global economy.

Houthi Attacks: A Threat to Maritime Peace

One of the most concerning attacks that garnered international attention was the targeting of the Greek ship "Sounion" in the Red Sea on August 13, 2024. This incident highlighted the Houthis' capability to target commercial vessels, even those belonging to countries geographically distant from the conflict. This raises significant questions about who stands to benefit from such actions, especially given that Greece is not involved in the conflict. Speculation has arisen that Turkey, rather than Russia, may have a hand in this, due to the ideological alignment between Iran and Turkey regarding Middle Eastern issues.

This attack by the Houthis was not a mere isolated incident but rather reflects a broader strategy of using the Red Sea as a pressure point and a tool for blackmail against the international community. By threatening maritime safety and disrupting global trade, the Houthis are making their intentions clear.

The attacks have not been limited to the Greek ship alone but have extended to several oil tankers and commercial vessels. This has prompted many nations to increase their military presence in the region, heightening global concern about the recurrence of such attacks.

The economic repercussions of these attacks could be catastrophic. They may lead to increased insurance costs for shipments, delays in goods deliveries, and threats to global energy supplies.

However, the international community’s response to these incidents has been insufficient. Abdulkarim Al-Juzari told Eyn Algnoub that the reasons for this could include:

The reluctance of countries, particularly Gulf states, to risk their internal stability, especially given Saudi Arabia's economic vision.

Additionally, there may be a hesitation among European & U.S to open a new conflict in the Middle East amidst the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, as the international community focusing its efforts on that crisis. Furthermore, it is highly likely that other parties, besides Russia and Iran, such as China and Turkey, may indirectly benefit from or support these actions.

For this reason, a new option could be proposed, one that may play a pivotal role in mitigating the Houthi threat in the Red Sea.

This option is represented by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has declared its readiness to protect the international community’s interests and the global economy amid these continued threats. However, given the current capabilities of the STC, particularly in securing such a vital international passage, the following question arises:

“Can the STC effectively limit the impact of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea?”

To answer this question, we can examine the STC’s preparations and the requirements needed to achieve this goal of protecting and securing such an important international corridor.

In this context, it is evident that the STC seeks to play a key role in safeguarding maritime routes in the Red Sea. The STC has consistently emphasized the need for international cooperation and partnerships to achieve stability in this strategic maritime passage. Additionally, the STC has called for robust partnerships with international and regional powers to provide a security umbrella for maritime navigation and enhance defensive capabilities along the southern coastlines bordering the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

It is also clear that the South holds a strategic position, making it a vital gateway for global trade, particularly through the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. From this standpoint, the STC believes it can play an effective role in securing the area, provided it receives the necessary support from the international community and the countries concerned with protecting regional and global maritime routes.

The Role of International Partnerships in Achieving Stability

The STC stresses that the protection of the Red Sea is not the responsibility of one party alone. It requires international coordination and joint efforts between local, regional, and global powers. The STC, with its military experience in combating terrorist organizations and armed groups, seeks to leverage this expertise to confront the maritime threats posed by the Houthis.

By enhancing cooperation with international naval forces in the region, the STC could become an active partner in organizing naval patrols and securing commercial ships passing through the area. Additionally, the STC could benefit from the technical and military support of major powers to enhance its capabilities in surveillance and responding to any attempts to attack ships.

The STC’s Proposed Plan to Enhance Maritime Security

The STC proposes practical plans to strengthen maritime security, starting with the establishment of a specialized Southern Naval Force to protect ships and combat terrorist attacks and maritime piracy. This force would be supported by advanced surveillance systems, including drones and radars, to ensure the effective security of maritime passages.

The STC also looks to the possibility of cooperating to develop maritime infrastructure in Aden and other southern ports, making them capable of providing security support to both commercial and military ships. This would transform the South into a regional security hub, contributing to stability in the Red Sea.

Challenges Facing This Proposal

Despite these efforts, the STC faces several challenges, the foremost being the need for sustainable funding to support maritime operations and security projects. Nevertheless, the STC remains convinced that cooperation and partnership with the international community, particularly neighboring countries, are the best ways to achieve maritime security in the Red Sea and ensure the safety of international navigation.

The STC affirms that Red Sea stability requires joint efforts and high-level coordination, urging the international community not to leave this area vulnerable to Houthi threats. This was implied in a recent official statement by the STC.

From this, we can infer that other options exist to mitigate the negative impact of direct confrontation with Houthi threats in the Red Sea. One such option is to support Southern forces under the leadership of the STC, which has demonstrated tangible success in securing southern Yemen’s provinces through its military operations against terrorism, with the support of the Arab Coalition, especially the United Arab Emirates. However, to secure an international passage, there is an urgent need to strengthen partnerships with regional and global powers to achieve peace and stability in this vital and strategic maritime corridor.

In this regard, The Times of Israel  published an article, monitored by Eyn Algnoub, that referred to the implications of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the possibility of cooperation with the STC to protect and secure shipping routes in the region.

The article states:

“With sufficient international support, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) could become a major player in securing the Red Sea, given its strategic military presence in southern Yemen. The STC has repeatedly expressed its commitment to ensuring the region's stability and has called for partnerships to address maritime security challenges. With support from regional and global powers, the STC could enhance its naval capabilities, which would significantly help deter Houthi attacks and protect international trade routes in the Red Sea.”