Maritime experts have reported that it is still too early to assess the full impact of the recent Houthi attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea. Despite the sinking of two commercial vessels by Yemen’s Houthi fighters earlier this week, experts indicate that the volume of ships navigating through this crucial maritime corridor has not significantly decreased. However, they caution that the repercussions of these attacks might take several days to manifest in shipping tracking data.
Following an earlier wave of attacks in November 2023, many shipping companies opted to reroute their vessels around the southern tip of Africa, resulting in an additional travel time of 10 to 12 days. Richard Meade, the editor-in-chief of the specialist shipping data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence, noted that “while 60% of vessels have re-routed since the Houthi strikes first started, the number of vessels willing to continue transiting the Red Sea has remained steady.” This resilience in shipping operations is noteworthy, even amidst escalating violence.
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In a related incident, BBC Verify has been working to authenticate a video released by Houthi-controlled media, depicting an attack on the Eternity C, a Greek-operated cargo ship. This attack occurred on Monday in the Red Sea and led to the ship's sinking on Tuesday. Although the video was shared on a known Houthi propaganda channel, the authenticity of the footage has been corroborated through various checks. The damage observed on the Eternity C corresponds with images captured by the vessel-tracking provider, Lloyd’s List.
Further verification using Synth ID revealed no signs of manipulation or AI generation in the footage. Reverse image searches confirmed that the video is current, further establishing its credibility.
In a separate but equally pressing issue, new footage has surfaced from Kyiv, showing smoke rising over the skyline after a night of intense Russian bombardment. This attack reportedly involved approximately 400 drones and 18 missiles, leading to casualties and extensive damage. Videos captured during the assault reveal firefighters battling blazes in residential areas, with eyewitness accounts detailing the prolonged nature of the attack.
Additionally, the BBC is closely monitoring the UK-France summit, where discussions are anticipated regarding immigration policies, particularly concerning the rising number of small boat migrants arriving in the UK. Recent studies have highlighted factors that attract asylum seekers to the UK, including the ability to work without documentation. This ongoing dialogue is crucial as both nations seek to address the challenges posed by migration.
As the situation develops, BBC Verify will continue to provide comprehensive coverage, analyzing both the maritime implications of the Houthi attacks and the humanitarian aspects of migration. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
