Rhino: Agencies – The Red Sea region is witnessing a remarkable escalation of risks resulting from the ongoing Sudanese war, the effects of which have begun to exceed the country’s borders to reach direct threats to civil aviation and maritime navigation in one of the most important international waterways. As the war intensifies and civilians are subjected to killings, displacement, and grave violations, the circle of threats expands to include international airspace and the safety of aircraft over the Red Sea, as well as the potential threat to global maritime navigation. These fears are reinforced by the entry of external forces, led by Iran, which supports the army in the war against the RSF, as well as the control of its Houthi ally over the Yemeni coasts overlooking the Red Sea.
In a move that raised international concern, the French airline Air France announced yesterday, Sunday, the suspension of its flights over the Red Sea region “until further notice” as a precautionary measure, after the crew of a French plane reported “spotting a luminous object” at a high altitude over Sudanese territory on the Red Sea. Although details about the object are not yet known, this measure reflects the growing concern about aviation security over the Red Sea, as airlines fear an escalation of threats in light of the deteriorating security situation in Sudan.
Air France’s statement emphasized that “the safety of its customers and crews is an absolute necessity,” stressing that the airline is constantly monitoring geopolitical developments to ensure the highest level of safety. As a result, the airline was forced to return some flights to their originating airports and reroute others to ensure they avoid flying over conflict zones.