The United States, along with an array of global partners, is forming a novel coalition to shield vessels navigating the Red Sea from attacks launched by drones and ballistic missiles originating in Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin made the announcement early Tuesday in Bahrain.
The severity of the assaults, causing damage to multiple vessels, has prompted various shipping companies to instruct their ships to remain stationary, refraining from entering the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the security situation is effectively addressed.
“This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in statement released just after midnight in Bahrain. “Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”
The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain will collaborate with the U.S. in this new mission, as revealed by Austin.
While some nations will engage in joint patrols, others will offer intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Additional countries have also committed to participating in the operation, yet they prefer to remain undisclosed, as stated to France 24 by a defence official speaking anonymously to discuss unrevealed details of the mission.
The operation will be overseen by the existing Combined Task Force 153, established in April 2022 to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden.
Although CTF 153 includes 39 member nations, efforts are underway to identify those joining this latest initiative.
Simultaneously, the United States has urged the United Nations Security Council to take decisive action against the ongoing attacks.
In a letter addressed to council members, obtained on Monday by The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the continued threat posed by Houthi attacks on commercial vessels transiting international waterways, jeopardizing navigational rights, international maritime security, and global commerce.
The Houthi threat was discussed by the 15 council members behind closed doors on Monday, but no immediate action was taken.
To counter Houthi attacks, three U.S. warships—namely, the USS Carney and the USS Mason, both Navy destroyers—have been navigating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait daily.
The decision to establish this expanded operation follows the December 3 strikes on three commercial vessels by Houthi-launched missiles in Yemen.
These attacks are part of an escalating campaign of violence, including armed drones launched towards U.S. warships. As of now, the U.S. has refrained from retaliatory strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen or their weaponry and installations.
Defense Secretary Austin, on Monday, did not address why the Pentagon has not executed a counterstrike.