The maritime security threats in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea continue to attract attention, especially in light of the repercussions of these threats, including the sinking of several ships, which poses risks not only to the marine environment but also to the countries concerned about addressing these threats, including Britain, which has a strategic partnership with the Gulf Arab states. On March 5, 2024, the British ship Ruby Mar sank two weeks after being attacked by the Houthis while carrying fertilizers, signaling a potential wide-scale environmental disaster. The Houthi targeting of ships in this vital region of the world has led the United States to establish the Prosperity Guard Alliance in December 2023, comprising several countries, including Britain, aimed at deterring the Houthis from threatening maritime navigation.

While regional efforts are significant, international roles are crucial for securing maritime navigation routes, especially since these have emerged as part of announced strategies and action plans by those countries. What is Britain’s vision and strategy for maritime security in this region? In 2022, Britain announced the “National Maritime Security Strategy,” which included a definition of that concept as well as reaffirming the international legal approach to protecting maritime security, especially through the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, which includes numerous legal provisions concerning the rights of states in the seas. The strategy outlined five objectives, of which the third goal, termed “Ensuring Prosperity in Maritime Security,” is particularly relevant, along with other sub-goals such as securing vessels, minimizing maritime incidents, and protecting maritime navigation at chokepoints and strategic maritime corridors, with specific reference to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab as two key strategic waterways for maritime navigation. This is to be achieved through cooperation with partners. It was also notable that the strategy indicated that “Britain will maintain a global security presence by deploying more ships, submarines, sailors, and marines to protect shipping lanes and support freedom of navigation.”

In reality, despite its importance, this strategy was not the only initiative by Britain concerning maritime navigation security in the Arabian Gulf region; there had been another strategy in 2014, but new developments necessitated a fundamental amendment to that strategy.

Regarding Britain’s efforts within maritime navigation protection alliances in the Arabian Gulf region, during the Iran-Iraq War, which saw what was known as the “Tanker War,” the United States established “Operation Earnest Will” and the “Coalition of the Willing” to protect oil tankers targeting Gulf ports. British contributions included a destroyer, three frigates, four mine sweepers, a repair ship, and a support vessel, which were significant contributions given the hesitation of some European countries at the time to participate in that operation, which represented a direct threat to the transport of Gulf oil to Western countries. During the international coalition led by the United States to liberate Kuwait in 1991, Britain participated with 28 warships and two submarines among the international efforts then, in addition to other military forces. This continued into 2019 when oil tankers in the Arabian Gulf faced repeated attacks, and the Trump administration announced the establishment of a maritime military coalition for maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, with Britain announcing its participation among six other countries, including three Gulf states. Britain took the lead of that coalition in January 2020 for four months, and British naval commander Admiral James Parkin indicated at that time that “the international coalition for maritime security is committed to ensuring the safety of maritime navigation in the Arabian Gulf, which includes one of the world’s most important waterways.” He added, “We recognize the importance of freedom of navigation and will ensure its protection through coalition nations.” Notably, after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard detained a ship flying the British flag in 2019 while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the British navy announced the escort of 50 commercial vessels through the Strait after a formal British statement on the nature and objectives of that operation. This continued until 2023 when Britain also announced its joining the Prosperity Guard Alliance, established by the United States to protect maritime navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea. In November 2023, the British navy announced the deployment of the ship “Diamond” to the Arabian Gulf to ensure freedom of navigation, reassure commercial vessels, and guarantee the safe flow of trade in this vital region of the world.

Despite the importance of the aforementioned, I believe that Britain’s contributions to protecting maritime security in the Arabian Gulf stem from three fundamental bases: first, Britain’s historical experience regarding the security of the Arabian Gulf in general and maritime trade routes in particular, as evidenced by its effective contributions to all maritime navigation protection alliances in the Arabian Gulf; second, the distinguished partnership relations between Britain and the Gulf Arab states in general, and the Kingdom of Bahrain in particular.

The third point is that Britain is the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, which is one of the agencies affiliated with the United Nations. It was established in 1948, and its goals include ensuring safety and security in maritime transport and protecting the seas and oceans from marine pollution. This means that the organization is a global center of expertise in general and specifically for Britain regarding maintaining maritime security in the Arabian Gulf region and other parts of the world.

Despite the importance of these efforts, the repercussions of maritime security threats in the Bab-el-Mandeb and the Red Sea, including the sinking of some ships, require more British-Gulf cooperation, especially in dealing with maritime disaster management resulting from the potential occurrence of widespread environmental pollution due to the sinking of those ships, which is a matter of concern for both sides. Additionally, in light of the trend among all countries to employ artificial intelligence technologies in security and military fields, there is a need for cooperation in this area, especially since Britain has experience in utilizing artificial intelligence to detect migrant boats crossing the English Channel. Finally, joint maritime security exercises are an important area for maritime partnership between the Gulf states and Britain.

Note: This article has been automatically translated.

Source: Akhbar Al Khaleej