Ambassador for Special Tasks of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Nikolai Korchnov, suggested that ships use the Northern Sea Route, instead of the Red Sea route, which is subject to Houthi attacks.
Korchnov told Sputnik agency: “Ships wishing to change their course due to tensions in the Red Sea can be allowed to resort to the North Sea, provided that they meet the requirements of the Polar Law and the provisions of documents related to the Russian regulation to cross the Northern Sea Route.”
The United States, along with several other nations, plans to initiate a naval operation in the Red Sea to safeguard maritime navigation and protect vessels from the assaults of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, as announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Austin’s statement highlighted the increase in dangerous attacks by the Houthis from Yemen, which poses a threat to the free movement of commercial traffic, puts mariners at risk, and breaches international law. The uninterrupted passage of ships through the Red Sea is crucial for global trade.
Austin emphasized the need for nations committed to maintaining the principle of freedom of navigation to unite against the threat posed by the Houthis, who have been launching ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at ships belonging to various countries in international waters.
He stated: “This 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.”
The objective of this operation, as outlined by Austin, is to collaboratively tackle security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The goal is to ensure safe navigation for all nations and enhance regional security and prosperity.
The operation will include participation from Bahrain, Canada, France, the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, Spain, and the United States.
The announcement follows the intensification of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis in the Gaza Strip. In response to this escalation, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to target Israeli territory and prevent any vessels associated with Israel from traversing the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the military activities in the Palestinian enclave cease.
