March 8, 2024

The first fatal attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea since Iran-backed Houthi rebels began targeting ships late last year has laid bare the enormous challenge of restoring safe passage along one of the world’s most important trade routes. At least three crew members were killed and four others injured in the assault Wednesday on the M/V True Confidence, a Liberian-owned bulk carrier, one of the ships that transport dry cargo such as grain and iron ore. The deadly strike marks a significant escalation of the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and and comes despite a US-led naval coalition to protect the crucial waterway. It also follows an assault late last month that sank a cargo ship, which is now discharging fertilizer into the ocean. Fewer ships appear to be transiting through the Red Sea and adjoining Suez Canal after the latest attack, according to maritime risks analytics company Windward. Transits have already dropped substantially since December when carriers started avoiding the area and rerouting vessels around the southern tip of Africa. Windward said the number of bulk carriers anchoring outside ports to the north and south of the Suez Canal surged 225% Wednesday compared with the previous day. “Our data shows that 61% of these (anchored) after 13:30 UTC (18:30 ET), which was the time of the attack,” Windward CEO Ami Daniel told CNN. He expects the attack will lead to even larger numbers of bulk carriers avoiding the Canal, through which 10-15% of world trade and 30% of container trade passes. “The propensity that something will happen is higher than people thought and the severity of the impact, once something happens, is (worse) than people thought,” he added. Windward data shows that last month the number of bulk carriers in the Red Sea was already at its lowest level in two years. Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/07/business/houthi-red-sea-attack-shipping-costs/index.html

Security forces gunned down two militants including a terrorist ring leader in separate operations in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday night, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. In a brief statement released on Thursday, the ISPR said that a terrorist ring leader named Shamrooz alias Sheenay was killed in an intense exchange of fire between the militants and security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber district. Meanwhile, another terrorist named Mansoor was also neutralised in a separate operation in the Dera Ismail Khan district, the military’s media wing stated. It said that the slain terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as extortion and target killings of innocent civilians, and were highly wanted by law enforcement agencies. The statement said that weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the slain terrorists. ISPR further stated that sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. The area locals appreciated the operations conducted by the forces and expressed their full support to the military in eliminating the menace of terrorism. Pakistan witnessed a spike in terrorist attacks in Balochistan and KP provinces during the past few months which also marred the pre-election phase in some provincial pockets. In response, the security forces also intensified actions against the terrorism-hit areas and achieved success by restoring peace in the affected parts, especially in areas bordering Afghanistan. Last week, three terrorists were gunned down and four others injured during an exchange of fire with Pakistani security forces in an IBO in KP’s Karak district.  Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1165566-security-forces-kill-terrorist-ring-leader-another-militant-in-kp-ibos

US’ Austin stresses ‘critical need’ to surge Gaza aid in call with GallantUS Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has told his Israeli counterpart that it is a “critical need” to surge humanitarian aid through all possible entry points in Gaza.Austin spoke on the phone with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about Israeli operations in Gaza, according to a statement by Pentagon.In the call, Austin also stressed the need to ensure the safe distribution of aid once delivered to Gaza.“Austin and Minister Gallant discussed the urgent need to secure the immediate release of hostages held captive by Hamas,” the Pentagon statement said.Click here to share on social media