U.S. Launches New Mission To Defend Red Sea Ships From Houthi Attacks
The U.S. launches new mission to defend Red Sea ships from Houthi attacks. The initiative aims to defend crucial shipping lanes in the region, safeguarding maritime trade routes from the disruptive activities of Houthi forces.
Author:Hajra ShannonReviewer:Paula M. GrahamDec 19, 2023621 Shares77.6K Views
The U.S. launches new mission to defend Red Sea ships from Houthi attacks. The initiative aims to defend crucial shipping lanes in the region, safeguarding maritime trade routes from the disruptive activities of Houthi forces.
The move underscores the significance of the Red Sea as a vital corridor for global trade and the need for a coordinated international response to ensure the security of these critical waterways.
The Houthis, operating in the region, have intensified their attacks on commercial Iraeli ships transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as a resistance attack in reponse of Isarel's continuous bombing of Gaza.
These attacks pose a direct threat to the stability of maritime trade routes, impacting not only regional economies but also reverberating across the global supply chain. The strategic importance of the Red Sea as a key maritime passage makes it imperative to address these security challenges promptly.
In a decisive move, the U.S. launches new mission to defend Red Sea ships from Houthi attacks. The mission involves the establishment of a dedicated defense force focused on ensuring the safety and security of commercial ships navigating through these vital waters.
The force is equipped with the capabilities needed to deter and respond to Houthi attacks, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the free and unimpeded flow of maritime trade.
A major topic of discussion during Secretary of Defense Austin's Monday negotiations in Israel was the threat posed by the Houthis to international marine shipping.
Austin said in a statement:
“„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.- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
According to a senior Israeli official, Austin informed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States is worried that the Red Sea crisis may develop into an economic conflict that could eventually lead into a physical conflict.
According to two U.S. officials, the Biden administration has lately warned the Houthi rebels in Yemen through a number of channels to cease their attacks against Israel and on ships in the Red Sea.
The US military official said that the USS Carney made the announcement after it was attacked by "multiple projectiles" in the southern Red Sea on Monday and responded to a distress call from a commercial vessel.
US Central Command stated that the ship, the Swan Atlantic, "was attacked by a one-way attack drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen."
Following the attack, the chemical/oil tanker, flying the flag of the Cayman Islands, requested assistance, and the nearest US warship, USS Carney, responded to evaluate the damage, according to CENTCOM's statement on Monday night. Houthi militants attacked a second commercial ship in the Red Sea around the same time as they attacked the Swan Atlantic, according to CENTCOM.
The attacks on both vessels, which they said were connected to Israel, were attributed to the Houthis. Additionally, the Houthis declared that "no harm will be dealt" to ships that were bound for ports all over the world, "apart from Israeli ports."
Conclusion
The U.S. launches new mission to defend Red Sea ships from Houthi attacks. It represents a pivotal response to emerging threats in a region of strategic importance. As the international community closely watches these developments, the success of the mission hinges on effective coordination, diplomatic engagement, and a commitment to upholding the principles of free and secure navigation in vital maritime corridors.
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Hajra Shannon
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Paula M. Graham
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