Former British Navy officer Tom Sharpe confirmed that naming Bab Al-Mandab the “Gate of Tears” aligns closely with the events taking place there these days, referring to operations by Yemen’s armed forces in support of Gaza, which have significantly impacted British navigation.
Follow ups – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:
Tom Sharpe stated in an article published today in the British Telegraph, “As an island nation and net importer, we British are highly dependent on the uninterrupted global trade of products, energy, and information by sea, and if cut off this flow, we will perish, and if we disrupt it, prices will rise, and delays will occur, which is what has been happening in the Red Sea since late last year.”
Sharpe explained that “over 90% of the more valuable ships are using alternative routes due to the Houthi threat.”
He pointed out that “disruptions in the Red Sea have led to service reconfigurations and volume shifts, straining infrastructure and resulting in port congestion, delays, and shortages in capacity and equipment,” stating that longer journeys are not only causing congestion issues but also increasing engine hours, decreasing hull life, and worsening emissions.
Regarding the risks of passing through the Cape of Good Hope, Tom Sharpe said that passing there is riskier, especially at this time of year, and the Cape of Good Hope is originally known as the Cape of Storms, explaining that “In July, CMA CGM’s ship the Benjamin Franklin lost 44 containers over the side during a storm.”
Confirming that Western countries use “environmental protection” as cover for their military operations, Sharpe said: “The US Navy could provide cover for the rescue operation of the “MV Sounion,” an oil tanker that was attacked two weeks ago and has been on fire ever since, to re-engage in the Red Sea, impose some order, destroy potential attackers, and do it all in the name of the “environment.”
He added: “Whilst I’ve conceded this is not the solution on its own, the US Navy’s failure to even try to resolve a situation like this suggests an unwillingness to protect Freedom of Navigation, making sailors and US naval observers feel extremely dissatisfied.”
Sharpe admitted the weakness of the British Navy in protecting British commercial ships, stating: “If your model warship doesn’t arrive in time for this Christmas this year, it’s for many reasons, but one of them is because we don’t have enough real warships.”
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