In the face of mounting threats to maritime security in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, US multinational force and shipping companies are taking unprecedented measures to protect their vessels.
US Multinational Force Formed in Response to Houthi Red Sea Attacks (Photo: The Times of Israel)
Multinational Coalition Formation
In a recent development published by France 24, in December 18, 2023, amidst a surge in attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, US multinational force and various shipping companies have ordered vessels to halt operations, highlighting the severity of the security situation in the region. In response to these escalating threats, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has declared the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a crucial multinational security initiative aimed at safeguarding maritime interests.
Recognizing the international nature of the challenge, the United States, forming US multinational force, in collaboration with the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, is spearheading this joint effort to address the growing menace posed by missile attacks primarily orchestrated by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
Operation Prosperity Guardian marks a significant US multinational force collaboration, with participating nations committing to a collective defense strategy against maritime threats in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. While some countries will engage in joint patrols, others will contribute crucial intelligence support. The expansion of the operation leverages the existing Combined Task US multinational force 153, established in April 2022, to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden. Though additional participating nations remain undisclosed to the public, their commitment underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a united front to counter the ongoing attacks.
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United Nations Involvement and Rising Tensions
According to the news released by AP news, simultaneously, the United States as US multinational force has called upon the United Nations Security Council to take decisive action against the Houthi attacks, emphasizing the threats posed to navigational rights, international maritime security, and global commerce. However, despite discussions among the 15 council members on the Houthi threat, no immediate actions have been taken.
As the US Navy intensifies its presence in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with daily movements of warships, including the USS Carney and the USS Mason, the strategic US multinational force decision to establish Operation Prosperity Guardian reinforces the urgency of addressing the broader regional dynamics and escalating campaign of violence, including missile and drone attacks from the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
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