10/17/2024–|Last updated: 10/17/202406:52 PM (Mecca time)
Data analysis and monitoring of the activity of military ships that came to the Middle East region during a year of war showed Gaza More than 430 warships from 22 countries participated in various military operations, in the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Gulf of Aden, since the day after the outbreak of war.
The “Sanad” news verification agency of the Al Jazeera Network was able to monitor the diversity of the tasks of the military ships according to the participating countries, as the tasks of the American warships focused on providing information support and confronting attacks that might be exposed to Israel, while the ships of European countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Italy focused on protecting their interests. Commercial and shipping methods protection.
Data analysis shows that the number of monitored warships that entered the Middle East during the year amounted to about 438 naval warships until the end of September 2024. It showed a noticeable increase in ship activity in the region with the beginnings of the war on Gaza, specifically in the period between October 8 and / October 2023 until January 2024, while the rate decreased in February and March, then returned to increase last April, coinciding with the inauguration of the floating port in Gaza, which failed in its tasks after that.
According to monitoring, the wave of ships entering the shipping lanes increased last August, coinciding with the start of raids on Lebanon and the increase in the frequency of attacks. The Houthis In the south, there is a clear convergence between the number of objects monitored with the beginning of the war on Gaza in October and November 2023, and the beginning of the attacks on Lebanon in September 2024.
Control of waterways
It is worth noting that the total number of warships sent by the United States was approximately 248 warships, which is more than the rest of the coalition countries combined. Britain came in second place, sending about 40 pieces throughout the year.
France also actively participated by bringing in 12 naval vessels in two major campaigns, the first of which was the US-led Operation “Prosperity Guardian” last December, as it sent the multi-tasking frigate “Languedoc” to patrol the southern part of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
It was also active in the second campaign known as “ESPAIDES” and supported by the European Union, which began in February 2024 to repel Houthi attacks, where it participated with several frigates, in addition to the “Tonnerre” amphibious readiness ships, and amphibious assault ships.
As part of NATO and EU-led operations, Britain has taken part with Germany, France, Italy and other countries in missions in the Eastern Mediterranean, deploying the RFA Argos and Lime Bay landing and operational ships to operate as part of the Amphibious Response Group in the region.
Britain strengthened its resources in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Gulf through the landing ship “Cardigan Bay,” which provides logistical support to the naval forces, in addition to deploying a squadron of minesweepers, which included the ships “HMS Bangor” and “HMS Chiddingfold,” in addition to To HMS Middleton of the 9th Mine Action Squadron, to ensure the safe passage of their ships.
American control
The American arsenal topped the scene in the aforementioned naval positions, followed by Britain and France, and analytical data confirmed the presence of Iranian warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, most notably the surveillance ships “MV Behshad” and “MV Artinus,” in addition to the ship “MV Saviz.” “Specialized in reconnaissance and espionage operations.
The American mission began with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing on October 8, 2023, the transfer of the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean, followed by the subsequent arrival of aircraft carriers, destroyers, and others.
The most important places where military units are stationed
Data analysis indicates that the largest percentage of ships were concentrated in the Mediterranean Sea, with an average of 92 warships, followed by the Arabian Gulf, with an average of 70 warships.
At the Israeli level, “SANAD” monitored the movements of the Israeli Navy in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, and it was noted that the intensity of the deployment of its naval forces in the Red Sea, represented by the deployment of “Sa’ar” corvettes equipped with advanced defense systems such as “Barak-8” and Iron Dome near Eilat, with the aim of protecting… The front repels missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthis.
While the Israeli Navy’s presence in the Mediterranean focuses on protecting offshore gas fields such as the Leviathan field, in addition to the participation of Israeli submarines and missile boats in joint military training exercises with American forces.
In the eastern Mediterranean, “Sanad” monitored the intensity of the movements of the forces of NATO’s Second Permanent Naval Group, which consists of several countries such as Canada, Italy, France, and Greece, in addition to Britain and America.
Iranian presence
The Iranian naval presence has been limited to the Red Sea. Since the events of October 7, the Iranian Navy has maintained a strategic presence in the Red Sea. American officials point out that this presence is closely linked to Iran’s support for the Houthis in Yemen.
The data shows the presence of about 66 Iranian naval vessels in the Red Sea, including the frigate ships “Iris Alborz” and the supply ship “Bushehr 442” of the Iranian Navy, in addition to many surveillance ships affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, such as the “MV Artinos” and the “MV” cargo ships. Behshad and MV Saviz.
Houthi naval attacks
Despite these extensive naval military movements, the Houthis played a major role in influencing the global maritime trade movement, which came “in support of Gaza,” as the Houthis launched more than 120 naval attacks over the course of a year.
The Houthis used many tactics in their operations, including the use of ballistic missiles, drones, and explosive water projectiles, which made it difficult for ships to avoid attacks. One of the most prominent of these attacks was the attack on the Israeli tanker “Bentley Eye” on July 15, 2024, which caused significant damage to the tanker. The Houthis also targeted other ships, such as the “MSC Palatium” and the “Maersk Gibraltar” ship, with the aim of disrupting international trade.
This resulted in an almost complete cessation of navigation traffic in the port of Eilat and a decline in the use of the Suez Canal as a global shipping lane by approximately 66% in mid-2024, according to data from the British National Bureau of Statistics, after shipping companies took alternative routes.