The Pentagon Reveals a New International Initiative to Counteract Assaults on Ships in the Red Sea

The United States, together with several other countries, is launching a new initiative, “Operation Prosperity Guardian,” to safeguard ships traveling through the Red Sea. This response comes in the wake of escalating attacks by drones and ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen, as announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit to Bahrain.

Recent attacks by the Houthis have caused significant damage to vessels, prompting many shipping companies to halt their operations in the Red Sea, especially near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, until the situation improves. The U.S. military’s Central Command reported two such attacks on Monday, targeting a tanker and a cargo ship.

The new mission, involving approximately 400 commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea, aims to provide overarching protection rather than escort individual ships. Participating military ships will position themselves strategically to offer the most extensive coverage possible. The operation will be coordinated by the existing Combined Task Force 153, established in April 2022 to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden.

Countries like the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain have already committed to joining the mission, contributing through joint patrols and intelligence support. China, despite its presence in the region, remains notably absent from the initiative.

The United States has also urged the United Nations Security Council to take action against these Houthi attacks. In a letter, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the threat posed by the Houthis to international maritime security and commerce. The Security Council discussed the matter but has yet to take definitive action.

Two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Carney and the USS Mason, have been actively patrolling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to deter and respond to Houthi attacks. The decision to establish this expanded operation follows a series of missile attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis on December 3, which targeted three commercial vessels and were part of a broader campaign of violence, including drone launches towards U.S. warships.

To date, the U.S. has refrained from launching counterstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, focusing instead on defensive measures and international collaboration to address the threats in the region.