Bahrain recently made headlines by becoming the only Middle Eastern country to join the coalition of more than twenty nations led by the United States to counter Houthi rebel attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. This move has sparked questions and debates surrounding Bahrain’s strategic alignment and its implications on regional stability and international maritime security.
The Red sea conflict has had significant impact on global shipping due to the strategic location of Yemen’s coastline along the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and onward into the Indian Ocean. The Houthi rebels’ persistent attacks on commercial vessels and their unlawful seizure of hostages has posed a grave threat to global trade and shipping. These actions have disrupted the flow of critical resources and caused widespread concern across the international community.
Operation Prosperity Guardian
Bahrain’s decision to join the coalition raised questions about its strategic positioning within the region. Ongoing criticisms are based on allegations that Bahrain is aligning with a coalition that primarily protects Israeli vessels and that the Kingdom is involved in the US and UK led airstrikes on Yemen. Whereas in reality Bahrain’s involvement has a wider context.
The recent airstrikes by the UK and US on the Houthi rebels in Yemen differ from Operation Prosperity Guardian in their specific tactical and operational objectives. While Operation Prosperity Guardian focuses primarily on securing the maritime trade routes in the Red Sea and countering threats to commercial shipping, the recent attacks by the UK and US have targeted specific military facilities or assets that were associated with Houthi rebel activities, hence they cannot be classified as attacks on the state or people of Yemen.
As for the countries involved in Operation Prosperity Guardian, the composition of the alliance may vary over time. However, the countries currently participating in the coalition effort include the United States, the United Kingdom, and potentially other international partners who have joined in the coordinated efforts.
Both the alliance and the recent UK and US strikes on the Houthis are not specific to the Israel-Hamas war as they are more about safeguarding global shipping lanes from threats and disruptions posed by violent non-state actors and other destabilizing forces, particularly the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Effect of the Houthi attacks
Since November there have been more than 27 attacks on vessels. Tens of other missiles and drones launched by the Houthis were shot down by the US Navy in the Red Sea. More than 40 nations have been affected by these attacks. Below are some ways in which the attacks have impacted global shipping:
The ongoing conflict has led to heightened security risks in the waters off the coast of Yemen, impacting the movement of commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This has caused disruptions to international trade routes, leading to delays and increased costs for shipping companies and traders.
Houthi rebel attacks on commercial ships, including the use of explosives and unmanned boats, have raised concerns about the safety and security of maritime traffic in the region. These attacks have heightened the need for increased vigilance and security measures to protect merchant vessels transiting through the area.
Due to the heightened risks associated with navigating through the waters near Yemen, insurance costs for ships operating in the region have increased. This has added to the financial burden on shipping companies and has widely affected maritime trade in the area.
The conflict has also impacted the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen, as aid ships often face challenges and risks associated with navigating through the region. The security situation has posed obstacles to the timely and efficient delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni population.
A dependable ally
“Bahrain is a critical partner to the United States”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Bahrain’s decision to join the coalition is deeply rooted in its own experiences and the pressing need to address the threats posed by the Houthi rebels. In September 2023, several Bahraini servicemen were tragically killed in attacks at the southern borders of Saudi Arabia. These attacks occurred during a supposed ceasefire agreement between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels, hence underscoring the grave and immediate threats faced by Bahrain from the ongoing conflict.
Bahrain is making a statement about its commitment to the US as a dependable ally in addition to taking its role as a protector of global maritime. The presence of the 5th fleet in the Kingdom reasserts the nation’s commitment to regional security and its pivotal role in global peacekeeping efforts.
Bahrain’s recent signing of the Comprehensive Security, Integration, and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA) with the US, highlights the importance of strengthening security partnerships and regional prosperity. The recent visits by high ranking US officials such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin to Bahrain also adds to the significance of Bahrain’s alignment with the coalition. During his visit, Secretary Austin commended the steps taken by Bahrain in bolstering regional security and prosperity, emphasizing the pivotal role of Bahrain in securing regional maritime activities.
“The test of a relationship is not how it fares when the sun is shining but how it fares at difficult moments. This is a difficult moment for the Middle East, for the United States and this is a moment when the US-Bahrain partnership is strong, its close, we are having very good discussions. We are very grateful for the value and the steadiness of the US-Bahrain partnership” Daniel Benaim, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs – Al Ayam Newspaper
Bahrain’s alignment with the coalition serves as a crucial pillar in the efforts to maintain the security and stability of the region and international maritime activities. By aligning with the coalition, Bahrain is not only expressing its unwavering commitment to regional stability but also signaling its strong partnership with the United States, the United Kingdom and other allies in the collective pursuit of maritime security and peace. Despite its small geographic size, Bahrain has consistently proven to be a key partner in the realm of security. In his recent tour to the Middle East and visit to Bahrain, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked Bahrain and stressed that “Bahrain is a critical partner to the United States”
The Houthi Rebels and the Islamic Republic
A main factor behind the attacks carried out by the Houthis is the group’s claim that it is targeting Israeli ships, preventing the delivery of arms to Israel through the Red Sea and defending the Palestinian people. It is important to note that the Houthis are exploiting the Israel-Hamas war to gain credibility and acceptance in a region that rejects them and has been at war with them since 2015. As the Houthis are supported and funded by the Islamic Republic of Iran, such tactics have been previously put into effect by another group solely supported by Iran, namely Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During the 2006 war in Lebanon, Hezbollah carried out several attacks on Israel, hence gaining the group popularity across the Arab world even among the Sunni population. However, this acceptance soon came to an end when the group increased its support for terrorism across the region and advocated for violent sectarian revolutions and chaos in the region as part of the Islamic Republic’s expansionist agenda. These acts were evident in Hezbollah’s support for extremist sleeping cells in Bahrain and other countries while it strongly supported the brutal Assad regime in crushing its people based on religious ideological affiliations.
The Houthi rebels’ alignment with the Islamic Republic of Iran has perpetuated the conflict in Yemen, resulting in widespread casualties and humanitarian crises. The devastating impact of their actions has extended beyond Yemen’s borders, as evidenced by their attempts to exploit the situation in Palestine to advance their agenda. Such actions have heightened regional tensions and emphasised the need to counter the destabilizing influence of the Houthi rebels and their supporters. In addition, global media attention in recent days has paved away from the war in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people, as the Houthis in Yemen are making headlines while the conflict escalates. This in no way serves the people of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding.
In the face of these challenges, Bahrain has emerged as a dependable ally to the US and UK, while playing a vital role in protecting global shipping and maintaining regional stability. It is important to recognise the significance of collaborative efforts to counter the aggression of the Houthi rebels and promote stability in the region. Bahrain’s ongoing support serves as a testament to the nation’s dedication to upholding international peace and security, making it an indispensable ally in addressing the complex challenges posed by regional conflicts.