WASHINGTON – In a step signalling the expansion of tensions stemming from the Gaza war, the US announced Tuesday the formation of an international force to jointly carry out patrols in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The aim of the force is to try to safeguard commercial shipping against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who say they are supporting Palestinians under siege by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, on a visit to Bahrain, identified several countries, mostly from outside the region, as taking part in an international force. It was unclear whether those countries are willing to do what US warships have done in recent days, shooting down Houthi missiles and drones and rushing to the aid of commercial ships under attack.
“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,” Austin said in a statement on Tuesday.
It identified participating nations led by the United States as including among others Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
The Iran-backed Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas conflict by attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and even firing drones and missiles at Israel, more than 1,000 miles from their seat of power in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a.
Houthis attacked two commercial shipping vessels in the southern Red Sea on Monday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. The chemical/oil tanker motor vessel Swan Atlantic was attacked by a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile, it said. At about the same time in a separate incident, the bulk cargo ship MSC Clara reported an explosion in the water near its location, CENTCOM said.
