Photo credit: Shlomi Amsalem/GPO
The United States is launching a multinational force to counter the maritime threat posed by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
“This is an international challenge that requires collective action,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced in Bahrain early Tuesday. “Therefore, today I am announcing the creation of an important new multinational security initiative, Operation Prosperity Guardian.”
Major shipping companies have suspended operations through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in recent days amid repeated attacks by drones and ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled Yemen. The rebels have also attempted multiple attacks on Israeli territory after declaring support for Hamas terrorists who are fighting Israeli forces in Gaza.
Mr Austin said the international missions included the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
Bahrain is the only Arab country to officially sign up to the initiative.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Monday and condemned the Houthi attack.
“The Secretary also condemned continued attacks by the Houthis against commercial vessels sailing in international waters in the southern Red Sea and called for cooperation among all partners to maintain maritime security,” the State Department said.
As part of the operation, several countries will conduct joint patrols, while others will provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The United States is also calling on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Houthi attacks. The Associated Press obtained a letter from U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield to board members on Monday, saying the Houthis continue to threaten “rights and freedoms of navigation, international maritime security, and international commerce.” Ta.
The 15-member body met behind closed doors on Monday to discuss the issue, but no immediate action was taken.
USS Carney and USS Mason are deployed to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to deter and respond to the attack.
The US has not directly attacked the Houthis in Yemen or attacked their military infrastructure. Mr. Austin did not respond to questions Monday about why the U.S. did not launch a counterattack.
On Monday, the Houthis attacked two merchant ships in the southern Red Sea, the Norwegian Swan Atlantic, which was sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, and the Panamanian-flagged MSC Clara.
U.S. Central Command said the Swan Atlantic came under attack by drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles, and the MSC Clara reported an explosion nearby.
British energy giant BP on Monday became the latest company to announce a suspension of shipping via the Red Sea as Houthi attacks intensify.
BP joins a growing list of shipping companies that have stopped sending ships on the Suez Canal-Red Sea-Bab el-Mandeb route, including Evergreen, Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Hapag-Lloyd and CMA-CGM. .
Prices for goods and goods are expected to rise as more ships avoid the Red Sea and take long-distance routes around the African continent.
Austin visited Israel on Monday as part of his Middle East diplomacy and discussed the Houthi threat.
“In the Red Sea, we lead the Multinational Maritime Commission to uphold the bedrock principle of freedom of navigation. Iranian support for Houthi attacks on commercial shipping must end,” Austin said. He went on to say that the United States “continues to provide Israel with the equipment it needs to defend its country,” including “critical ammunition, tactical vehicles, and air defense systems.”