US Announces 10-Nation Coalition Force To Counter Houthi Attacks In Red Sea (Image: @SecDef)
The United States has announced the formation of a 10-nation coalition force to counter the Huthi attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea. Countries including Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain are part of this coalition. These countries will jointly carry out patrols in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to protect commercial ships from Houthi attacks. This significant announcement was made by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The Red Sea, a major trade route, is witnessing a rise in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants on vessels. In the official statement released on December 18, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the recent escalation in Houthi attacks threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law. The US diplomat also mentioned that the Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and added that it is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade.
Lloyd Austin said that the Houthi attacks on vessels are an international challenge that demands collective action. “Therefore, today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative,” added the US Defence Secretary in his statement. This initiative will be under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the leadership of its Task Force 153. Notably, CMF is a multinational maritime partnership, and it is commanded by a US Navy Vice Admiral.
Earlier, several shipping companies announced they would halt all journeys through the Red Sea. The companies have taken this decision due to a series of attacks on vessels by Houthi militants. The countries included in Operation Prosperity Guardian will jointly address various security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The statement also mentioned that the coalition force will work with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and enhancing regional security and prosperity.
