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Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Houthis Issue New Warning to Vessels Shipping US Weapons to Israel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Houthis have threatened to block or attack vessels transporting weapons from U.S. arms companies to Israel through the Red Sea or Indian Ocean, according to Seatrade Maritime News. The threat comes amid rising tensions and intensified fighting in the Middle East, with the Houthis signaling an escalation in their efforts to disrupt shipments supporting the Israeli war in Gaza. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Houthi officials for comment. Why It Matters The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, have launched hundreds of missile attacks on vessels, further escalating tensions in the region, disrupting a vital maritime route in the Red Sea since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Following the collapse of a ceasefire this year, the group resumed threats and blockades, particularly targeting Israel and U.S. interests, with President Donald Trump ordering a military operation in Yemen to destroy the group. Houthi fighters march during a rally of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and against the U.S. strikes on Yemen outside Sanaa on Jan. 22, 2024. Houthi fighters march during a rally of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and against the U.S. strikes on Yemen outside Sanaa on Jan. 22, 2024. AP Photo What To Know A legal entity affiliated with the Houthis' military reportedly sent a warning to ship owners, operators, and managers about the risks to their vessels if they engage with U.S. companies sanctioned by the group, Seatrade Maritime News reported. The Houthis specifically warned against vessels carrying weapons from blacklisted aerospace and defense companies, according to the UK-based global shipping media platform. Houti Sanctions Last week, the Houthi affiliated Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) sanctioned 15 U.S. weapons manufacturing companied citing their arms supply to Israel with advanced weapons and equipment linked to war crimes in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The designated groups are seen as "enemies" and are subject to confrontation by force. "Sanctions may be imposed on companies involved in weapon shipments to the Zionist entity, including shipping companies, airlines, and ports, as well as energy sector companies, with potential exemptions for those opposing Trump and his administration's policies," HOCC said in an email to Newsweek. The list included Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing, amid others major companies specializing in missile systems, military vehicles, satellite technology, and advanced electronics. These companies have previously been criticized by human rights organizations for their potential role in fueling the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen in. This photograph released by the U.S. Navy shows a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter hovering over the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier while operating in the Middle East on April 12, 2025. This photograph released by the U.S. Navy shows a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter hovering over the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier while operating in the Middle East on April 12, 2025. U.S. Navy/AP Photo Starlink Terminals Meanwhile, The Houthis' Ministry of Communications has ordered all citizens and legal entities to return Starlink terminals and equipment by May 1, 2025, warning of legal penalties and security raids to seize prohibited devices after the deadline, according to Saba News Agency. Yemen was among the first countries in the Middle East to have the service introduced by Elon Musk's company. The U.S. has launched an extensive wave of airstrikes against the group's targets in Yemen prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks on U.S. aircraft carriers and Israeli territory. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said it intercepted several missiles launched from Yemen. What People Are Saying Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), in warning email, as quoted by Seatrade Maritime News: "The existence of any such relationship will expose your company and fleet to sanctions, and, in the event your company is listed on the sanctions list, its fleet will be prohibited from transiting the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the company's fleet will be subject to targeting wherever reachable by the Yemeni Armed Forces." U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X: "We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region." What Happens Next Conflict escalation near in the Red Sea and the broader Middle East could lead to increased involvement from regional powers and a potentially devastating humanitarian impact in war-torn Yemen.
Zawya
05-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Seatrade Maritime Qatar to open new opportunities between local and global maritime companies
Doha, Qatar: Hamad Mohammed Al-Nasr, Director of Trade Development and Investment Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry delivered the official keynote address for Day 2 of the inaugural Seatrade Maritime Qatar event in Doha, Qatar stating that 'This conference represents an opportunity to explore new areas of fruitful cooperation between Qatar and its global partners and is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences and enhance cooperation, and will contribute to opening new opportunities between companies and institutions.' Speaking to more than 200 delegates, Mr Al-Nasr said: 'This event is the first of its kind in Qatar - an important platform that brings together experts and specialists from all over the world in the fields of maritime transportation and logistics through which we aim to expand our network of international partnerships in the maritime transportation and logistics sector. 'In addition, improving the competitiveness in the management and operation of Qatari seaports has contributed to achieving significant growth in trade exchange between these ports and many agreements have been signed with countries and international ports which have has strengthened Qatar's role as a major centre in this sector.' He added: 'The Ministry of Commerce and Industry continues to cooperate with all local and international partners to develop strategies and initiatives that contribute to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of all vital sectors, including the maritime sector, in line with its 2024-2030 development strategy.' The opening keynote was followed by a Fireside Chat between Seatrade Maritime News Content Director, Emma Howell and Hassan Alemadi, Senior Director Business Accounts, Oredoo Qatar, telecom sponsor of Seatrade Maritime Qatar which led the way to a panel session on 'The Digital Maritime Industry – is it here, near and secure?' Discussion centred around the fact that digitalization in the maritime industry is projected to be worth $423.4 billion by 2031 and whether the solutions are safe from growing cybersecurity threats? The panel included: Nick Chubb, CEO and founder of Thetius; Eng. Asmaa Abdulaziz Mirzaei, IT Manager, Mwani Qatar; Jassim Al-Majid, VP, Information Technology, Milaha; Gareth Burton, Senior Vice President, Global Engineering, ABS; Mr. Ghassan Kosta, Regional Manager, Google Cloud; and Julian Panter, CEO, SmartSea. The conversation continued during a sixth session, 'Offshore expansion & the North Field project' led by moderator, Fazel Fazelbhoy CEO, Synergy Offshore FZ LLE and panellists: Ahmed Desouki, Lead-Civil, SFSF Project Manager, Onshore Works Section – Projects & Engineering Directorate, Hamad Port Project; Danial Kaabi, CEO, SeaHorizon Offshore; and Ali. A. Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects & Services, DNV. The final session of the inaugural Seatrade Maritime Qatar – Financing Tech Advanced & Green Fleets of The Future – generated much audience participation in a discussion led by Adam Kent, MD, Maritime Strategies International and panellists: Ali Abouda, Group CFO, Gulf Navigation; Capt Zarir Irani, Dy. Registrar for 'Antigua and Barbuda' maritime registry; Chinar Zaidi, Managing Associate, Maritime, Trade & Offshore, Middle East, Stephenson Harwood; and Tajas Shah, CFO, Tomini Group. The event, the first of its kind in the State of Qatar, brought together key stakeholders in the maritime sector, governmental and semi-governmental entities, as well as innovators in the fields of technology, energy, finance, investment and services, in addition to the most prominent suppliers, decision-makers and shipping companies. Seatrade Maritime Qatar ended on Wednesday 5th February at Sheraton Resort Hotel and Convention Centre and has been generously supported by Main Sponsors: Qatar Ports, Founding Strategic Partner; Ooredoo, Communications Sponsor; Qatar Airways, Official Airline; Visit Qatar, Destination Sponsor. Main Sponsors include: Qatar Free Zones Authority; Milaha Group and QTerminals Group. Diamond sponsors include Saudi Ports Authority and Nakilat. Platinum Sponsors: Invest Qatar; ABS. Gold Sponsors: Lloyd's Register (LR), DNV; Bureau Veritas; MSC Qatar & MEDLOG; Genesis Marine and Sea Horizon. Silver Sponsor: Mowasalat (Karwa) and Bronze Sponsor: Middle East Fuji Group.
