US launches multi-national force Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect shipping in 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,” stated US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III.

“The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade.”

Since the hijacking of the car carrier Galaxy Leader by Houthi militia on 19 November, of which all 25 crew remain held hostage, attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have become increasingly frequent and growing number of major shipping companies have started to reroute vessels away from the region.

Energy company BP was the latest to announce that its owned and chartered vessels would avoid transiting the Red Sea, following the likes of Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd, taking the much longer route via the Cape of Good Hope between Asia and Europe.

In response to the threat to commercial shipping and trade Defense Secretary Austin announced the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153.

Joining the US in multi-national security initiative are the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

Related:Top container lines reroute from Red Sea to avoid attacks

Defense Secretary Austin said the goal of the operation would be ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries in the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as bolstering regional security.

The World Shipping Council (WSC), which represents liner shipping, thanked the member nations of Operation Prosperity Guardian and hoped that the coalition would succeed in creating the necessary conditions for safe passage through the Red Sea.

WSC CEO John W. Butler said: “On behalf of our member carriers, I particularly want to stress the importance of the coalition’s action to defend the safety and lives of our seafarers – the thousands of men and women from around the world who every day ensure vessels carrying food, medicines, humanitarian supplies, and goods of all kinds safely reach their destination ports on every continent.”

Yemeni Houthi Militia have stated they are targeting Israeli-linked vessels and ships bound for ports in Israel in support of Hamas in the Gaza conflict.

The Houthi have targeted commercial ships with ballistic missiles and uncrewed drones, as well as hijackings.

Attacks continued on Monday with the Hansa Tankers chemical/oil tanker Swan Atlantic by a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile according to US Central Command. The warship USS Carney was dispatched to assess the damage to the vessel.

Related:Houthi drone attacks and hijackings - Who controls the seas?

Meanwhile the bulk carrier Clara reported an explosion near the location of the vessel.