Pentagon Launches Operation Prosperity Guardian In The Red Sea

Nine nations joined the operation by the U.S.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin announced the launch of the international Operation Prosperity Guardian, the purpose of which will be to ensure the safety of shipping in the Red Sea after "reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen."

Austin noted that the Houthi's actions threaten the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law.

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. This is an international challenge that demands collective action.

He added that the U.S. is going to conduct the operation together with the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain. They will jointly address security issues in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Austin did not provide details about the operation and what exactly it would involve.

Following the Hamas attack on Israel, Yemen's Houthi supported Palestinian militants and began firing rockets at Israel. They soon announced that they would attack all vessels in any way connected with Israel and would not allow them to pass through the waters of the Red Sea.

The Houthi called their actions a response to “American-Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.” The Yemeni group Ansar Allah is carrying out missile and drone strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea. In early December, it threatened to attack all vessels heading to Israel. Since November 14, the Houthi have attacked at least 10 commercial ships.

Amid the Houthi attacks, four of the world's largest shipping companies have suspended ships from passing through the Suez Canal or diverted them to other routes.

This decision was made by the Swiss shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the French CMA CGM, the Danish company Maersk and the German transport company Hapag-Lloyd. Together they account for even more than half of container traffic worldwide.

In addition, the oil and gas company BP suspended oil supplies through the Red Sea.