Desperate Measures in the Red Sea – Ships Broadcast "All Crew Muslim" to Evade Houthi Attacks
In a stark illustration of the escalating desperation in the Red Sea, commercial ships still braving the treacherous waters are resorting to broadcasting highly unusual messages on their public tracking systems, including "All Crew Muslim," in a desperate bid to avoid being targeted by Yemen's Houthi militia. This comes after a renewed wave of deadly attacks this week by the Iran-aligned group.
The Red Sea and the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait are critical arteries for global oil and commodity shipments. However, traffic has sharply declined since the Houthi attacks began in November 2023, which the group claims are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
The Desperate Tactics:
In recent days, vessels navigating the southern Red Sea have been observed adding specific messages to their AIS (Automatic Identification System) public tracking profiles, which are visible to anyone clicking on a vessel's details. These messages include:
"All Crew Muslim": This direct appeal to the Houthis' stated religious alignment is a clear attempt to signal non-hostile intent.
"All Chinese crew and management": Highlighting crew nationality is another tactic, as China is not a party to the conflict.
Flagging the presence of armed guards on board: This could be a deterrent, or perhaps a signal of heightened security measures.
Explicitly stating "no connection to Israel": This is a direct response to the Houthis' declared aim of targeting ships linked to Israel.
Effectiveness in Question:
While these messages underscore the growing anxiety and desperation among shipping companies and seafarers, maritime security sources are largely skeptical about their effectiveness. Experts suggest that the Houthis' intelligence preparation is "much deeper and forward-leaning," implying that simple AIS messages are unlikely to fool their targeting mechanisms. They emphasize that even if shipping companies diligently ensure no tangential links to Israel, the risk of attack remains high.
Recent Escalation and Casualties:
The recent adoption of these extreme measures follows a severe escalation in Houthi attacks after a period of relative calm. This week alone, the Houthis claimed to have sunk two ships:
Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C: This vessel was reportedly hit by rocket-propelled grenades from small boats. Rescuers managed to pull some crew members alive, but at least three were confirmed killed, and the Houthis claimed to be holding some of the missing crew.
Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship Magic Seas: The Houthis claimed this company "violated the entry ban to the ports of occupied Palestine." All 22 crew members were safely rescued.
The Houthis have asserted that they will not permit passage for any company transporting goods connected to Israel. Since November 2023, over 100 merchant ships have been targeted with missiles and drones in the Red Sea. The attacks in July mark a significant resumption of aggression after a lull that began in November 2024 following a ceasefire agreement with the US.
The increasing danger has led to a sharp rise in insurance costs for shipping through the Red Sea, with some underwriters even pausing coverage for certain voyages. The "Seafarers' Charity," a UK-based organization, has powerfully reiterated that "Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, keeping countries supplied with food, fuel and medicine. They should not have to risk their lives to do their job." The desperate messages being broadcast are a stark reminder of the human cost of this ongoing maritime conflict.
