In light of the increasing tension in the Red Sea and the impact of navigation in it due to the Houthi group’s threats to Israeli ships, activists’ comments on social media platforms ranged from praising the Houthis’ position to asking why Western ships did not comply with the Houthis’ warnings.
The Red Sea is of vital importance in international shipping routes, so the American response to the Houthi group’s threats to target and attack any ship heading towards Israeli ports through the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea was not delayed, in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
US Department of Defense spokesman Patrick Ryder stated earlier that “the actions we have seen from the Houthi forces lead to destabilization, are dangerous, and are a flagrant violation of international law.”
The tension taking place in the Red Sea arouses the interest of social media platform pioneers, as comments and tweets – some of which were reported on an episode (12/13/2023) of the “Shabakat” program – varied between those who praised what the Yemenis are doing for the people of Gaza and those who wondered why the people of Gaza did not Western ships complied with Yemen’s warnings, especially since the Houthis linked their decisions to the cessation of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
In this context, activist Nidal wrote, “The idea that Western ships do not comply with Yemen’s warnings is the very problem we have with this West: arrogance and arrogance. They consider the lands, waters, and bodies of Arabs to be their pawns.”
The “Exceptional” account stated that the Houthi threats to navigation in the Red Sea “threaten the disruption of global supply chains and harm trade and economies,” and said that the joint international community must take immediate measures to reduce “this dangerous threat.”
As for Abu Amir, he commented on the developments, saying, “Yemen is a striking force that stands by Palestine, and no one will be able to stand in the face of the Yemeni army,” while Muhammad Al-Rantisi offered “a tribute of respect and honor to the men of Yemen who proved in this battle that they are the owners of actions, not just words.” .
The US Department of Defense spokesman had announced earlier that the United States was holding discussions to establish an international “naval task force” against Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, indicating that the force would be an alliance that included 38 countries willing to do so.
Tel Aviv Tribune quoted a source in the Yemeni government as confirming that the government had received an American invitation to participate in a military coalition to protect ships in the Red Sea to confront Houthi attacks.
In turn, the British Guardian newspaper reported that America warned the Houthis that the peace plan in Yemen that was negotiated with Saudi Arabia would fail if attacks on commercial ships off the coast of Yemen continued.