WASHINGTON, D.C. In response to escalating attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels on merchant shipping in the southern Red Sea, the United States has announced the establishment of an enhanced naval protection force. The initiative, named Operation Prosperity Guardian, aims to safeguard the strategic waterway and address the recent surge in Houthi attacks.
While the United Kingdom has pledged participation, notable absentees from the coalition include Arab nations Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The absence of these key players raises concerns about the effectiveness of the maritime security effort.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the necessity of Operation Prosperity Guardian in light of the “recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen.” Other countries joining the effort include Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.
However, the immediate impact of this coalition on securing the Red Sea, through which around 50 merchant ships transit daily between the Suez Canal and destinations in Asia and Europe, remains uncertain.
In response to the ongoing security challenges, Danish shipping company Møller–Maersk announced it would reroute its ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, a journey taking at least 10 days longer. The situation continues to be monitored closely, with expectations for a resolution allowing a return to the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
Several shipping companies, including BP, OOCL, Hapag-Lloyd, and the Mediterranean Shipping Co., have previously altered their routes or suspended traffic due to security concerns.
The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, initially targeted Israeli shipping with long-range missile attacks, which were largely intercepted. However, their tactics shifted a month ago with the dramatic seizure of the British-owned cargo ship Galaxy Leader in a helicopter raid. Attacks on merchant tankers in the Bab el-Mandeb strait have since intensified.
The US military reported a recent attack on the Swan Atlantic tanker, carried out by a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. Despite limited damage and no injuries, the attacks underscore the persistent threat to commercial shipping.
Operation Prosperity Guardian will see the participation of HMS Diamond, a British destroyer, alongside three US destroyers. The absence of Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the coalition raises concerns about its effectiveness, with heightened tensions in the Arab world contributing to their non-participation.
Analysts, such as Farea Al-Muslimi from Chatham House, expect Houthi attacks to persist, posing a challenge to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The delicate balance between protecting shipping routes and avoiding an escalation of the conflict remains a central concern
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
