Denmark has announced its participation in the US-led Red Sea operation, with plans to send a frigate next month to contribute to the international effort aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The decision comes in response to the ongoing threat of unprovoked attacks on civilian shipping by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia in the region.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed concern about the escalating situation in the Red Sea, emphasizing the need for action to address the continued attacks on civilian vessels. Denmark’s commitment to the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian will involve submitting a resolution to parliament in January, seeking approval to deploy a frigate capable of joining the mission by the end of January.
Operation Prosperity Guardian, spearheaded by the United States and supported by over 20 nations, is positioned as a defensive coalition. Its primary objective is to ensure the unhindered flow of commerce, valued in billions of dollars, through a critical shipping chokepoint in Red Sea waters near Yemen. The multinational effort aims to counter the threats posed by the Houthi militia to maritime security in the region.
Denmark had previously pledged its support to the US-led task force on December 20, committing one officer to the mission. The Nordic country already had two officers stationed in the area as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational initiative focused on protecting shipping lanes in the Red Sea region. As tensions persist in the area, Denmark’s active involvement underscores the international community’s collaborative efforts to address security challenges in vital maritime passages.
