The United States (US) has initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative aimed at protecting shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden amid escalating attacks from Houthi militia against Israel-owned and bound vessels in recent weeks.
The 10-nation coalition brings together multiple countries including the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain in a bid to quell Houthi missile and drone attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea.
"The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law," said Lloyd J. Austin, US Secretary of Defence.
"The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade."
"Countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters," he added, pointing out that the current situation in the Red Sea 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 under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea," Austin added, noting that the "multinational security initiative" goal is to "ensure freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity."
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have escalated attacks on tankers, cargo ships and other vessels in the Red Sea in support of Hamas in the Gaza conflict, imperilling a transit route that carries up to 12% of global trade and prompting an increasing number of shipping lines to reroute their ships away from the region.
CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and MSC have already earlier announced they are avoiding the Red Sea and taking the much longer, but safer route through the Cape of Good Hope between Asia and Europe.
Other carriers, like Israel's largest shipping firm, ZIM, announced freight rate increases on its Asia-Mediterranean line amid the escalating threats in the Red Sea.
Earlier, the World Shipping Council (WSC) called for "decisive action" to protect seafarers in the Red Sea region.
"The World Shipping Council is deeply alarmed and concerned about the escalating security crisis unfolding in the Red Sea region," it said in a statement.
"The disturbing surge of attacks on vessels poses an imminent threat to the safety and lives of the seafarers navigating these waters."
The WSC — the primary industry trade association representing the international liner shipping industry — noted that the right of freedom of navigation stands as a fundamental right under international law and must be safeguarded.
"The World Shipping Council urgently calls upon the global community to take decisive action to protect seafarers and freedom of navigation," it said. "The time for resolute international engagement is now."
