There were fears that the Gaza conflict would not only remain between Israel and the Palestinians, but could “set the whole region on fire”; these fears are slowly coming true.
Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have used drones to attack cargo ships passing through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The United States has announced a 10-nation “Prosperity Guardian” operation is launched to protect this critical waterway, through which 12 percent of global cargo trade and 20 percent of oil products from Europe to Asia pass.
“ALLIES” LEAVE THE US ALONE
However, the vast majority of the 10 countries included in the US statement have announced that they will either not take part in the operation or will not send ships. France and Italy announced that their warships in the region would not be under American command, but would “act in their own national interests”. Spain’s first statement was that it would take part in the operation only if NATO or the EU decided to do so. However, the Madrid government chose to use its veto when the EU’s Atalanta cargo ship protection military operation in the Indian Ocean was merged with the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian. It got so big that US President Joe Biden phoned Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez. However, the Spanish government is still not convinced to join the Prosperity Guardian operation, with Spanish MPs arguing that “it is hypocritical for the US not to protect civilians in Gaza, but to set up an international force for cargo ships.”
Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands – perhaps to avoid openly confronting the United States – announced that they would participate in Operation Prosperity Guardian not by sending ships, but by sending a few naval officers to the headquarters.
It seems that Britain and Greece are the only ones left who have announced that they will actually take part in the “international naval force” established by the US by sending ships. The US “allies” are obviously calculating that they will not be able to explain to their own peoples that they “put their hands on the line” for cargo ships while Israel’s genocidal military operation in Gaza continues.
Another calculation is that missiles costing hundreds of thousands of dollars could be used against the drones that the Houthis manufacture for about 2,000 dollars and shoot down cargo ships, and even if this is done, the Houthis may not be stopped. The issue of the Red Sea and global cargo transportation seems to be saddled with Washington, which has not given up on standing unconditionally with Israel.
ATTACKS ON TURKISH SOLDIERS IN IRAQ
It is difficult to separate the attacks on Turkish soldiers in Iraq in the last few days during Operation Claw Lock from the Gaza issue;
The two most influential countries in Iraq, Iran and the US, are uncomfortable with Turkey’s policy on the Gaza issue for completely opposite reasons. The AK Party government’s declaration that “Hamas is not a terrorist organization” irritates Washington, and the fact that trade with Israel has not been officially cut off despite the Turkish authorities’ harsh statements against Israel, irritate Tehran. Both countries are constantly conveying their discontent to Ankara, sometimes publicly and sometimes through diplomatic channels.
It would be useful to look at the martyrdom of 12 Turkish soldiers by terrorists in the Claw Lock operation in Iraq, where stability has prevailed for a long time and there has been little news of martyrs or wounded.
Contrary to expectations, the fire in Gaza is spreading…