US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Monday the expansion of an international maritime security force to safeguard commercial ships in the Red Sea from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, reports suggest that the Houthis have launched dozens of strikes on ships they claim are owned by Israeli companies or heading to Israel, despite the fact that many of the vessels targeted have no link to the country.
New Multinational Security Force: Operation Prosperity Guardian
Highlighting the Red Sea as a crucial waterway essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that enables international trade, Austin said in a statement, “This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore, today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”
The operation will be coordinated by the already existing Combined Task Force 153, which was established in April 2022 to strengthen maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden.
Austin said the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain will join the US in the new mission. Some countries will conduct combined patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while others will provide intelligence support.
“The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law,” Austin remarked.
Secretary Austin asked countries to work together to address the threat posed by a “non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)” at commercial ships.
U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin has Officially Announced today the beginning of “Operation Prosperity Guardian” in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which will involve a Multinational Maritime Coalition of at least 10 Countries including the United States, United Kingdom,… pic.twitter.com/Xc86ikwNIX
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 18, 2023
According to two US officials, the Biden Administration recently sent warnings to the Houthi rebels in Yemen via numerous channels, warning them to stop their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and against Israel.
Meanwhile, the rebel group announced on Monday that it deployed naval drones to strike the Norwegian-owned Swan Atlantic and the MSC Clara in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Swan Atlantic’s owner, Norway’s Inventor Chemical Tankers, explained in a statement that the ship had no connection to Israel and was handled by a Singaporean company.
Houthis Attack Israeli Ships in Red Sea
According to reports, the Houthis have launched a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, as well as drones and missiles aimed at Israel.
In November, the Houthis seized a vehicle transport ship in the Red Sea off Yemen, which was also associated with Israel. The ship is still under their control near the port city of Hodeida.
The decision to expand the operation came after three commercial vessels were hit by missiles fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in December. These strikes were part of an increasing campaign of violence that included the launch of armed and other drones at US warships.
On 3 December, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the Houthis in Yemen carried out all four strikes on three commercial ships in the Red Sea with the support of Iran.
During the hours-long battle, the Yemeni rebels fired ballistic missiles at three commercial ships, while a US destroyer shot down three drones in self-defence.
Additionally, the group claimed in a statement that its navy attacked two Israeli ships, the Unity Explorer and Number 9, with an armed drone and a naval missile.
Companies Avoid Red Sea Route
Oil giant BP said on Monday that it will halt oil tanker transits across the Red Sea in response to recent attacks on vessels by Iran-backed Houthi militants from Yemen. BP is the latest to halt shipments through the crucial trading route.
The company claimed that the decision was made due to the “deteriorating security situation for shipping” in the Red Sea. “BP will keep this precautionary pause under ongoing review, subject to circumstances as they evolve in the region,” the company said.
MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and other shipping companies have also indicated that their ships will avoid the area.
Reports indicate that with BP’s announcement, the price of oil increased by more than 2% to roughly $78.60 per barrel.