US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, has announced the launch of a multinational operation to protect trade in the Red Sea.
This decision comes in response to a series of missile attacks and drone strikes by Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran, in Yemen.
Austin made this announcement during his visit to Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Middle East fleet. Participating nations in this operation include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.
Together, they will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
He stated that this is an international challenge requiring collective action and introduced “Operation Prosperity Guardian,” a significant multinational security initiative.
The Houthi rebels have been intensifying their attacks on oil tankers, cargo ships, and other vessels in the Red Sea, claiming to apply pressure on Israel due to its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
The US Central Command reported on Tuesday that the Houthis carried out attacks on two merchant ships in the southern Red Sea on Monday.
The chemical/oil tanker Swan Atlantic was targeted in a one-way drone attack and a ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Almost simultaneously, the bulk cargo vessel Clara reported an explosion in the vicinity of her location. This attack was separate from the attack on the Swan Atlantic.
No injuries were reported in either incident.
