The Red Sea crisis, which began in late 2023 when a coalition of rebel groups seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has escalated in recent weeks, raising concerns around global supply chains and regional stability.
The strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a vital waterway for international trade, especially for oil and gas shipments from the Middle East to Europe and Asia. According to the International Energy Agency, about 4.8 million barrels of oil per day passed through the strait in 2020, accounting for about 5% of global oil supply.
The rebel coalition, which calls itself the Red Sea Liberation Front (RSLF), claims to represent the interests of the marginalized and oppressed people of Yemen, Djibouti, Eritrea and Sudan, who have suffered from decades of poverty, conflict and environmental degradation.
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The RSLF demands that the international community recognize its sovereignty over the strait and pay a hefty toll for using it. The RSLF also accuses Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Ethiopia of exploiting the Red Sea’s resources and interfering in the internal affairs of its neighboring countries.
The RSLF has been conducting attacks on commercial and military vessels passing through the strait, using speedboats, drones and missiles. The attacks have caused significant damage and disruption to the maritime traffic, as well as casualties among the crew members and security forces. The RSLF has also threatened to mine the strait or block it with sunken ships if its demands are not met.
The international community has condemned the RSLF’s actions and called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions on the RSLF’s leaders and supporters and authorized a naval blockade to prevent arms and fuel supplies from reaching the rebels.
The United States, the European Union, China, Russia and India have also expressed their support for the blockade and offered to send naval forces to assist in enforcing it. However, the blockade has not deterred the RSLF from continuing its attacks and has increased the risk of a direct confrontation between the rebels and the international coalition.
The Red Sea crisis poses a serious threat to global supply chains and regional stability. The disruption of oil and gas shipments could lead to higher energy prices and shortages in some markets, affecting economic growth and social welfare.
The crisis could also trigger a humanitarian disaster in the countries bordering the Red Sea, where millions of people depend on food imports and aid deliveries. Moreover, the crisis could escalate into a wider conflict involving regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia and Iran, who have competing interests and influence in the Red Sea area.
The international community should intensify its diplomatic efforts to end the crisis peacefully and restore security and stability in the Red Sea region. The UN should appoint a special envoy to mediate between the RSLF and its neighbors and facilitate dialogue and cooperation on issues such as economic development, environmental protection, human rights and political reform.
The international coalition should also exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could provoke or escalate violence. The Red Sea is a vital lifeline for global trade and regional peace. It should not become a battleground for war.