EDITORIAL
Houthi dissidents may be called “rebels” by the western press and nations but they actually control a huge chunk of territory in both the land, coast, and waters of Yemen particularly in the Red Sea — making them a relevant political force that is capable of tilting the balance in that part of the globe.
What makes any armed force that controls Yemen or its coastal areas exponentially powerful is that country’s geographical position: it serves as a constricted neck of land, making a narrow strait that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, and onwards to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. If there is a perfect maritime ambush site, it is the triangular area of Mocha, Djibouti, and Aden. It is a crucial shipping route connecting Europe with the Middle East and Asia.
It is small wonder, then, that Houthi rebels who are of course allied with the religious and state leaders of Iran, have been successful in harassing commercial shipping in this strait.
Last week, an oil tanker was again attacked by Houthi rebels off Yemen’s Red Sea coast. It was just a stroke of luck that all 23 Filipino crew aboard the oil tanker were safe and unharmed, said our Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
There were likewise no reports of casualties, according to a statement posted on X by the United States Central Command (US Centcom).
"The DMW is closely coordinating with international maritime authorities, shipping companies, and local manning agencies on the status of ships with Filipino seafarers traversing high risk areas and war-like zones in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden," the DMW statement read.
The Centcom said at approximately 1 a.m. (local time) on May 18, “Iranian-backed Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) into the Red Sea and struck M/T Wind, a Panamanian-flagged, Greek owned and operated oil tanker.”
M/T Wind came from Russia where it loaded oil and was bound for China.
“The impact of the ASBM caused flooding which resulted in the loss of propulsion and steering. A coalition vessel immediately responded to the distress call by M/T Wind, but no assistance was needed. The crew of M/T Wind was able to restore propulsion and steering, and no casualties were reported. M/T Wind resumed its course under its own power,” the Centcom said.
The Centcom is one of 11 unified combatant commands of the US Defense department, with responsibility over the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South Asia. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the vessel and crew are safe and continuing to the next port of call, as reported by Greek news website neoskosmos.com.
“This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” the Centcom said.
The Red Sea-Gulf of Aden area is some 7,861 kilometers away from Manila, yet the presence of many Filipino seafarers aboard ocean-going vessels has a direct impact on many Filipino workers and their families, especially now that the Israel-Gaza war is still raging. The Houthis are involved in this because they and their principals, the Iranians, are taking the side of the Palestinian resistance against Israel in this war.
Last November 19, 2023, a group of Houthi rebels hijacked the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader over its connection to Israel and vowed that “all ships belonging to the Israeli enemy or that deal with it will become legitimate targets.” The hijacking took place in the Red Sea and the adjoining Gulf of Aden — a crucial shipping route connecting Europe with the Middle East and Asia. It was clearly a Houthi action from Yemen, inflicting damage on Israeli business and the overall international supply chain, and is associated with the Israel-Gaza war. The collateral damage on our part is that 17 seafarers, out of the 25 hostages, are Filipinos.
While the hijacking remains a problem, another incident occurred, this time involving the loss of Filipino lives. The Barbados-flagged bulk carrier M/V True Confidence was on its way from China to Jeddah and Aqaba, carrying a cargo of steel products and trucks when it was attacked by Houthi rebels about 50 nautical miles southwest of Aden. At least 15 Filipino crew members were on board the merchant vessel. Two of them died while 13 others were injured and recovering in the hospital in Djibouti.
One indication that this particular hostage situation is serious is that for the last several months, the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and their allies have pressed for the release of 25 seafarers but nothing has come out of it.
This problem of Filipino seafarers navigating the strait in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will remain for a very long time, just like the Israel-Palestine conflict which has spanned several generations.
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