Explore Our Affordable Courses

Click Here
  »   Blog   »   Instability in the Middle East: Red Sea

Instability in the Middle East: Red Sea Crisis Background, Reasons, and Impact on the World

PWOnlyIAS January 18, 2024 11:58 2009 0

Blogs UPSC Blogs

Instability in the Middle East & Red Sea Crisis: The Houthi rebels of Yemen are stepping up their strikes on ships passing through the Red Sea region.

Instability in the Middle East: Red Sea Crisis Background, Reasons, and Impact on the World

Context

Instability in the Middle East & Red Sea Crisis: The Houthi rebels of Yemen are stepping up their strikes on ships passing through the Red Sea region.

Red Sea Crisis: Who are the Houthis and Why are they Attacking Ships in the Red Sea?

  • These attacks have forced some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to stop transit through the Red Sea, which is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
  • As a response to the attacks, the United States and the United Kingdom launched strikes against multiple Houthi targets in Yemen.
  • Houthis, along with Hezbollah of Lebanon and Hamas of Gaza form part of Iran’s so-called “Axis of Resistance”, which is an anti-Western alliance of regional militias backed by Iran.
  • Iran has been steadily helping Houthis to target Western assets, including ships. They have been equipped with sea mines, ballistic and cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
  • It is believed that the attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea may have been conducted to inflict pain on Israel and its allies.

The Houthis:

  • About: The Houthi movement, also known as Ansarallah (Supporters of God), is one side of the Yemeni civil war that emerged in the 1990s under its leader, Hussein al-Houthi.
  • Ideology: Al-Houthi launched “Believing Youth,” a religious revival movement for a centuries-old subsect of Shia Islam called Zaidism. The followers of Al-Houthi are termed ‘Houthis’.
  • Objective: The Zaidis, which ruled Yemen for centuries, lost power after the 1962 Civil war. The Houthi movement by Al-Houthi is an effort to resist radical Sunnism, particularly Wahhabi ideas from Saudi Arabia.
  • External Influence: Houthis are deeply influenced by the Lebanese Shia political and military organization Hezbollah, and they adopted their official slogan against the United States, Israel, and the Jews.
  • Instability Caused in Red Sea by Houthis:
    • Missile Attacks: Houthis’ domestically produced missiles are combined with Iranian components smuggled into Yemen in pieces.
      • They have launched medium-range ballistic missiles against Israel. This technology has the potential to wreak havoc in the Red Sea region.
    • Piracy and Kidnapping: Houthis have also resorted to piracy and kidnapping to earn revenue and also create fear.

Continue To Read: How Are Houthi Attacks On Ships In The Red Sea Affecting Global Economy?

 

Background: Instability in the Middle East & Red Sea Crisis

  • Israel-Hamas War

    • Israel launched a full-blown attack on Hamas, which is an extremist organisation operating from the Gaza Strip.
    • The attacks have not only attracted criticism from the Muslim world, and many rogue extremist organisations have vowed to fight against Israel.
    • In order to prevent countries such as Iran from interfering in Israel-Hamas Conflict, the US has positioned itself in the region.
    • The attacks by Israel on Hamas’ territory and the purported silence maintained by middle-eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia on Israel’s actions have triggered non-state players to interfere.
    • Non-state players such as Hezbollah of Lebanon and Houthis of Yemen are trying to champion the cause of Muslims by attacking Israel. These groups have been supported and funded by Iran.

  • Instability in Yemen

    • Yemen has been one of the most volatile regions in middle-east. The civil war in the country started in 2014, when Houthi forces stormed the capital Sanaa and toppled the internationally recognized and Saudi-backed government.
    • The Houthis, who are followers of Shia Islam, are supported and funded by Iran. Their attacks are targeted at the Sunni government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia.
    • Hence, the civil war in Yemen has transformed into a geopolitical clash between Iran and Saudi Arabia, who are being supported by their respective allies.
    • In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched a military offensive aimed at Houthi rebels. Even after nine years, the coalition has failed to dislodge the Houthis, who control the majority of Yemen. 

  • Iran-Saudi Rivalry

    • Iran has been at the helm of anti-Saudi sentiments in the Middle Eastern region. It seeks to challenge Saudi’s claims as the leader of the Muslim world.
    • For a long time, Iran has supported groups that align with Shia ideology and are perceived to be anti-West and anti-Israel.
    • Saudi Arabia has recognised the challenges posed by Iran and has increased its cooperation with the western bloc, including Israel.
    • Iran on the other hand has managed to bring together anti-western forces in the middle-east. This includes Hezobollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Houthi in Yemen etc.
    • Hence, the Iran-Saudi rivalry has spread from their backyard of the Persian Gulf and spread to other regions of middle-east, including the Red Sea and Mediterranean.

Read Sea Crisis: Reasons

  • Attacks on Ships: The Houthi militants have attacked container and oil ships using drones and ballistic missiles, causing panic among shipping companies.
  • Unstable Governments: Many countries in the Red Sea region are politically unstable. They do not have a legally recognised government and are currently in a state of Civil War.
  • Interference of the US and Russia: The crisis is significant as it could prompt the US and Russia to interfere, leading to another war.
  • Failure to Reach Consensus: The Yemen war, which was moving towards a conclusion, is still without a solution.

Instability in the Middle East & Red Sea Crisis: What Impact on the World?

Red Sea Crisis and Its Impact on the World
Criteria Description
Geo-Political Crisis
  • Failure to Restore Peace in Yemen: The attacks have led to breakdown of peace talks between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
  • Saudi-Iran Peace Deal: The peace deal between Saudi and Iran is likely to fall apart due to the crisis in the Red Sea.
  • Spread of War: The crisis in the Middle East could escalate into a full-blown war in the region.
Economic Crisis
  • Rise in Oil Prices: Major shipping companies have paused shipping through the Red Sea amid fears of Houthi attacks, causing oil and gas prices to surge.
  • Rise in Food Prices: The Red Sea is also a major shipping route for food grains. The crisis could also cause a rise in food prices across the world.
  • Delay in Goods Movement: Shipping companies are forced to move goods through the longer route around Africa, causing insurance costs to rocket. They could pass on the increased cost of moving their goods to consumers.
  • Affect Supply Chain: The instability could lead to disruption in the supply chain of critical goods such as medicines and raw materials.
  • Global Inflation: A global inflation could be on the cards if basic goods are scarce and their prices rise due to the crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis
  • Death of Civilians: A full blown crisis could lead to death of innocent civilians in the region.
  • Large-scale Migration: A war-like situation could trigger a large-scale migration.
  • Poverty and Hunger Crisis: Hunger and poverty are closely related to war. This could be a reality soon.

 

Instability in the Middle East: What Impact on India?

Red Sea Crisis and Its Impact on India
Criteria Description
Fuel prices  The government, which was planning to reduce the prices of fuel, will have to give up the idea owing to the rise in crude oil prices.
Affects Indian Exports Indian exporters will have to hold on to their consignment or reroute it through the longer Atlantic Ocean route. In many cases, exporters also have to bear higher insurance costs.
Domestic Inflation Domestic inflation may witness a rise due to increase in cost of imported commodities, especially petroleum and natural gas.
Regional Security India is located in close proximity to the Red Sea region and instability could affect India’s maritime security.
Indian Diaspora Indian diaspora living in the regions surrounding the Red Sea could face the brunt of the security crisis.

 

Steps Taken to Address the Red Sea Crisis in Red Sea Region

  • Deployment of Naval Assets: The US and other allies have deployed naval forces to guard the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
    • The operation is a multinational effort of more than 20 countries to protect shipping in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
    • Members include the US, UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.
  • Strikes on Houthis: The US and UK have responded with counter-strikes on Houthi assets in Yemen. This seeks to create some fear among adversaries.

The Red Sea 

  • About: Red Sea is a narrow stretch of sea, which runs from the Bab-el-Mandeb straits off the coast of Yemen to the Suez Canal in northern Egypt.
    • The Red Sea, through the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden, connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. 
  • Location: It is surrounded by the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez to the North; Bab-el-Mandeb strait to the South; Arabian Peninsula to the East; and Africa to the West.
  • Bordering Countries:  Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea and Djibouti. The Gulf of Aqba, a branch of the Red Sea borders Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
  • Physical relief: The Red Sea lies in a fault depression that separates Arabia and North Africa.
  • River Inflow: Barka River, Haddas River, Anseba River, and Wadi Gasus are the rivers flowing into the Red Sea.
  • Important Facts: The Red Sea has high amounts of salt as there are no major freshwater sources flowing into the sea. 
    • The sea region also experiences high temperatures, due to which there is a high rate of evaporation.
    • The salinity of the Red Sea ranges from 36 % in the southern part and 41 % in the northern part, with an average of 40 %.
    • There is a popular belief that the Red Sea contains a cyanobacteria called Trichodesmium erythraeum (a red-colored algae), which turns the normally blue-green water a reddish-brown. Hence it is called ‘Red Sea’.
  • Famous Ports in the Red Sea Region: Port of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Port of Suez (Egypt), Aqba Port (Jordan), Port of Sudan (South Sudan), Port of Djibouti (Djibouti), Port of Eilat (Israel), Port of Hodeida (Yemen), Port of Aden (Yemen) Port of Massawa (Eritrea).
  • Biodiversity: Due to its shallow nature, the sea hosts significant coral reefs. Other animals include dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles etc.
    • The government of Egypt has established the Ras Mohammed National Park in 1983 to protect marine areas in Red Sea.
  • Economic Importance:
    • Mineral Deposits: The region is known for petroleum deposits, evaporite deposits, such as halite, sylvite, gypsum, and dolomite, sulfur, phosphates, and the heavy-metals.
    • Trade Route: The Red Sea is a major trading route that connects Europe with Asia.
    • Tourism: The Red Sea coast hosts many tourist spots such as Sharm El-Sheikh, Eilat, Jeddah etc. 

The Suez Canal

  • Location: Suez Canal is a man-made water channel that links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It is the shortest route between Asia and Europe.
  • Importance: It is one of the major trade routes in the world, with 12% of global trade flows, including 30% of global container traffic.

Also Refer: The Ben Gurion Canal Project – A New Maritime Route

 

Conclusion

  • The attacks by Houthis could have been carried out to inflict economic pain on Israel’s allies in the hope they will pressure it to cease its attacks on Gaza.
  • The attacks could also give the Houthis an opportunity to champion the Palestinian cause and gain legitimacy at home for and in the region as they seek to control northern Yemen.

Further Reading: The Red Sea Crisis

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials

 

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailDOWNLOAD PDF

Red Sea Crisis FAQs

The Houthi rebels of Yemen are stepping up their strikes on trading ships passing through the Red Sea region.

The followers of Al-Houthi are termed ‘Houthis’.The Houthi movement, also known as Ansarallah (Supporters of God), is one side of the Yemeni civil war that emerged in the 1990s under its leader, Hussein al-Houthi.