New Bahrain-Based Task Force Supports Maritime Security in the Red Sea

Different maritime security challenges, mainly connected to arms and human trafficking and attacks against vessels, directly threaten one of the densest international maritime routes leading through the Bab el-Mandeb strait into the Red Sea. As a result of increased insecurity in the area, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, created a new task force in April, known as the Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153), to help tackle these challenges. Commanded by the United States, together with other 15 international personnel, CTF 153’s main goal is to ‘focus on international maritime security and capacity building efforts in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.’

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In practice, the mission will help to hinder arms trafficking sent to aid Ansar Allah (the Houthis) in Yemen, who still occupy a considerable part of the Western coast of Yemen, despite the temporary ceasefire. And, the Islamic Republic of Iran is deemed responsible for part of this illegal arms trade. For example, earlier this month it was revealed that in February (2022) a UK Royal Navy vessel interdicted Iranian surface-to-air missiles—advanced weaponry that would be used by the Houthis in the conflict.

Next, the threat of human trafficking is a considerable challenge as well. According to an International Organization for Migration (IOM) report, in 2019, more than 138,000 migrants traversed Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden from the Province of Obock, in Djibouti, and the city of Bosasso, in Somalia, in order to reach Yemen’s southern coast. This number was higher than the migrant crossings to Europe during the same period (approximately 110,000). In other words, the so called Eastern Route was considered then the world’s busiest maritime migration route. Though numbers have fallen in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid travel restrictions, they are rapidly picking up again. According to the IOM, more than 27,800 people have already made their way to Yemen this year from the Horn of Africa.

 

Indeed, though counterintuitive, as people should be fleeing from and not to a war-torn country, the reality is that Yemen is a transit country for thousands of people attempting to reach the wealthier Gulf states. The majority of migrants are Ethiopians escaping the conflict in Tigray, while others are leaving from Somalia due to widespread violations. Additionally, the latter is also facing one of the most severe droughts in its recent history, leading thousands of people to be displaced internally, while others try to flee abroad. In terms of CTF 153’s role, it will act also to disrupt human trafficking and to save lives at sea as many lose their lives in these desperate sea crossings.

 

Finally, it should be remembered that Houthi militants have launched attacks against vessels in the southern Red Sea before, often using the port of Hodeida to initiate such operations. For instance, at the beginning of this year, an Emirati-flagged ship called the Rwabee, was hijacked by the militants in the Red Sea in a clear act of defiance against the international maritime order. Other attacks have been reported since. Given that 10% of all global commerce passes through Bab el-Mandeb which, at its narrowest point, is only 18 miles (29 km) wide, launching attacks in the area could potentially destabilise shipping and wreak havoc on global supply chains.

 

All in all, CTF 153’s role in the region will help to enhance overall maritime security in one of the world’s most important shipping routes that is also plagued by these numerous security challenges while also aiding the work of other CMF task forces.

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25 July 2022