In a response to the escalating threat posed by Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the United States, along with a coalition of nations, has initiated a new international mission named Operation Prosperity Guardian. The primary objective of this mission is to safeguard commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, which have become targets of attacks involving drones and ballistic missiles.
International Coalition Forms Operation Prosperity Guardian to Counter Red Sea Attacks
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the announcement in Bahrain, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The attacks, some of which have resulted in significant damage to vessels, have prompted various shipping companies to instruct their ships to remain in place, avoiding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until security concerns are adequately addressed.
The coalition comprises the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, in addition to the United States. While some nations will engage in joint patrols, others will provide intelligence support, collectively aiming to enhance security in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Operation Prosperity Guardian will be coordinated by the pre-existing Combined Task Force 153, established in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the region. Although 39 nations are part of CTF 153, the specific contributors to this expanded effort are yet to be confirmed.
The move comes in response to the surge in attacks on commercial vessels, with the most recent incidents reported by the U.S. military’s Central Command. An attack involving both an attack drone and a ballistic missile hit a tanker off the coast of Yemen, coinciding with a cargo ship reporting an explosive detonation in the water nearby.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the need for collective action, describing the initiative as an “important new multinational security initiative.” The seriousness of the situation has prompted the United States to call on the United Nations Security Council to address the ongoing Houthi attacks. In a letter to council members, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed concern over the threats posed by the attacks on commercial vessels navigating international waters.
Despite the mounting tensions, the U.S. has not conducted a counterstrike against the Houthi forces in Yemen. The deployment of three U.S. warships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including the USS Carney and the USS Mason, Navy destroyers, serves as a deterrent and response mechanism to potential attacks.
Operation Prosperity Guardian signals a united front against the challenges posed by maritime threats in the Red Sea, reflecting the importance of international cooperation in ensuring the safety and security of vital waterways.
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