Manila,: The Philippines on Friday urged its mariners to “avoid” the Red Sea as Yemen-based Houthi rebels kept up their deadly missile and drone attacks on merchant shipping in the vital waterway.
“Philippine nationals should avoid the area altogether unless absolutely necessary for their livelihood,” the foreign ministry said, citing the “conflict escalation in the Red Sea that poses a clear and present danger to all Filipino seafarers working in the area.”
The foreign ministry said Filipino seafarers should “exercise prudent choice” and their “right-to-refuse sailing” due to the risks.
The warning came a day after 23 Filipino and two Russian crew members were rescued from a Greek-flagged oil tanker that was hit by several projectiles off the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida on Wednesday.
The attack on the Sounion caused a fire and cut engine power.
It was claimed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have waged a campaign against international shipping that they say is in support of Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
The Philippines is a major supplier of mariners to the global shipping industry.
Manila said Thursday the Sounion was the ninth ship with Filipino crew members that has been attacked by the Houthis.
One Filipino remains missing from a Red Sea attack on the MV Tutor in June, while 17 Filipino crew of the Galaxy Leader have remained in Huothi captivity since the ship was seized last November.
Philippines urges its mariners to ‘avoid’ Red Sea amid Houthi attacks
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Philippines urges its mariners to ‘avoid’ Red Sea amid Houthi attacks
- The foreign ministry said Filipino seafarers should “exercise prudent choice” and their “right-to-refuse sailing” due to the risks
- The Philippines is a major supplier of mariners to the global shipping industry
Satellite firm extends Middle East image delay to prevent use by US adversaries
- SPACE WAR ARENA Militaries rely on space for everything from identifying targets, guiding weapons and tracking missiles to communications
WASHINGTON: California-based Planet Labs has expanded restrictions on accessing its imagery of the Middle East to prevent adversaries from using it to attack the US and its allies, a sign of how the expansion of commercial space business can impact conflicts.
Planet, which operates a large fleet of Earth-imaging satellites and sells frequently updated images to governments, companies and media, told customers on Monday that it was extending restrictions to a period of 14 days from a delay of four days imposed last week.
The move was temporary and in “an effort to limit any uncontrolled distribution of the images that might result in their unintentional access and use as tactical leverage by adversarial actors,” a Planet spokesperson told Reuters in a statement.
“This conflict is dynamic and in many ways unique to others, and thus Planet is taking robust steps to help ensure our images do not contribute in any way to attacks on allied and NATO personnel and civilians,” the spokesperson said. Some space specialists say that Iran could be accessing commercial imagery, including via other US adversaries.
SPACE WAR ARENA Militaries rely on space for everything from identifying targets, guiding weapons and tracking missiles to communications. In a sign of space’s central role in modern warfare, US officials last week said their space forces were among “the first movers” in the operation against Iran.
A US Space Command spokesperson declined to detail the capabilities it used. Space Command is responsible for helping with missile tracking, secure communications and using Pentagon satellites as overwatch for US and joint forces on the ground. While high-quality satellite imagery used to be the preserve of advanced space powers, access to commercial satellite imagery has leveled the playing field, as Ukraine has experienced during its war with Russia. Now, satellite operators are deploying AI to help speed up the ability to analyze imagery and identify areas of interest.
“This expert analysis used to be the preserve of high-end military analysts, not anymore,” said Chris Moore, a defense industry consultant and retired air vice-marshal in the British military.
“Ultimately it will create an all-seeing eye from space that will make the concealment of military forces and deception operations difficult to achieve.”
