New Delhi. Once again, a major security crisis appears to be facing the merchant ships passing through the Red Sea. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who are supported, have reportedly launched an email-based permit system for some ships passing through the Red Sea. Under this system, ships have to first contact the Houthis and after providing their identity and other necessary information, they have to ask for permission for safe passage. According to the report of American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, some ships have also been given such transit permit whose validity remains for several days.
According to reports, before entering the Red Sea, some ships are sending emails to the Houthi rebels seeking confirmation whether they will be allowed to pass through the sea route without attack. The Houthis are reportedly responding to these emails within about 24 hours. The captain of a ship informed in his message that his ship has no connection with Israel, Britain or America. After this permission for safe passage was sought. Similarly, it has also come to light that a Chinese container ship has sought permission.
The report claims that the Chinese ship was issued a transit permit for seven days by the Houthis in response. Along with this, the ship was also reportedly offered a proposal to connect to the Houthis' email alert system so that it could keep getting new information related to the sea route. If this claim is true, it could be considered a very serious signal about the influence of the Houthi rebels on maritime traffic in the Red Sea as it raises the question whether merchant ships now have to seek permission from a non-governmental armed group for safe passage.
Meanwhile, a big claim has also come to light regarding the alleged talks between Houthis and Saudi Arabia. According to The Wall Street Journal report, Saudi Arabia explored the possibility of talks with the Houthis to end the conflict. In response to this, the Houthis are said to have reportedly made a demand of 51 billion dollars. According to the report, this amount was sought as compensation for the losses caused by Saudi Arabia's military operations and prolonged blockade. Apart from this, the report also claimed that the Houthis have demanded Saudi Arabia to recognize them as the official ruler of Yemen.
However, Saudi Arabia has completely rejected these claims. Saudi Arabia's deputy foreign minister and ambassador in charge of public diplomacy, Raed Krimli, responded on social media platform X, calling the report fabricated. He accused the Houthis of turning against Yemen's government and pushing the country into a protracted conflict. He also said the Houthis were targeting merchant ships, civilian targets and economic establishments in the Red Sea.
The Red Sea is one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. In such a situation, the situation of ships allegedly passing without permits has increased the concern about international maritime security. However, the claims related to the email permit and the demand of $51 billion have not been independently verified and Saudi Arabia has rejected the claim regarding the amount.