‘. In the turbulent waters of the Red Sea, a critical artery for global trade, commercial ships are resorting to desperate measures to avoid deadly attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. 🌊 Since November 2023, the Iran-backed group has targeted over 100 vessels, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. 😔 With two ships sunk this week alone, including the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned Eternity C and Magic Seas, maritime crews are broadcasting unusual messages via their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to deter attacks. 📡

A Desperate Plea for Safety 🙏
Ships navigating the southern Red Sea and the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait are publicly sharing details about their crew’s nationality, management, and even religion. Messages like “All Crew Muslim” and “All-Chinese Crew” have appeared on AIS profiles, alongside declarations of no ties to Israel. 🛳️ Some vessels are even signaling the presence of armed guards on board to ward off Houthi commandos or drone strikes. 💂‍♂️ According to MarineTraffic and LSEG ship-tracking data, these messages reflect growing fear among seafarers as Houthi attacks intensify after months of relative calm. 😱

The Red Sea, a vital route for $1 trillion in annual trade between Asia, Africa, and Europe, has seen traffic plummet since the attacks began. ⬇️ Before November 2023, an average of 79 ships sailed daily; now, the numbers are significantly lower, disrupting global supply chains for oil, food, and medicine. 🛢️🍎💊 The UK-based Seafarers’ Charity recently stated, “Seafarers are the backbone of global trade... They should not have to risk their lives to do their job.” 💪

Houthi Attacks: A Persistent Threat ⚠️
The Houthis, led by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, have vowed to block any ship linked to Israel or its allies. 🚫 This week’s attacks, which involved rocket-propelled grenades and explosives, targeted vessels with past connections to Israeli ports, according to shipping analysis. 🎯 Despite earlier assurances that Chinese vessels would be spared, a Chinese-operated tanker, Huang Pu, was hit by ballistic missiles in March 2024, showing the Houthis’ unpredictable targeting. 😲

Maritime security experts doubt these AIS messages will deter the Houthis. “It’s a sign of desperation,” one source noted, emphasizing that the rebels’ sophisticated surveillance likely renders such tactics ineffective. 🕵️‍♂️ Yet, for crews facing the threat of drones or commando raids, these messages are a last-ditch effort to signal neutrality in a conflict they didn’t choose. 😓

The Human Cost and Global Impact 🌍
Seafarers, often from diverse backgrounds, are caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions. The Eternity C sinking, captured in chilling footage by the Houthi Media Centre, underscores the real danger to human lives. 🎥 Crews are broadcasting their faith or nationality in hopes of appealing to the Houthis’ stated motives, but the strategy’s success remains uncertain. ❓

The Red Sea crisis has broader implications. Jerusalem has reportedly urged Washington to treat the attacks as a global issue, not just an Israeli one. 🗳️ With Houthi missiles even targeting Israel directly—though one fell short on Thursday—the stakes are rising. ⚡ The international community faces pressure to secure this vital waterway, but solutions remain elusive. 🤔
A Call for Action 📢
As ships continue to broadcast “All Crew Muslim” or “No Israel Links” in a bid for survival, the maritime industry is sounding alarms. The Seafarers’ Charity and other organizations are calling for urgent measures to protect those who keep global trade afloat. 🌐 For now, crews are left to navigate not just the sea but a complex web of conflict, hoping their messages might make the difference between safety and catastrophe. 🙏

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