The USA launches the “Prosperity Guadian” military initiative to secure shipping through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The attacks on merchant ships by the Houthi militias from Yemen call the USA and military partners into action. The attacks threaten the free flow of trade, endanger innocent seafarers and violate international law, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said today. The Red Sea is a “critical waterway.” [ds_preview]
“Countries that want to uphold the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation must come together to address the challenge posed by this non-state actor that launches ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant ships from many nations that are lawfully transiting international waters,” Austin said.
Germany examines participation in “Prosperity Guardian”
This is an international challenge that requires joint action. “That is why today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a major new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, focusing on security in the Red Sea,” said Austin.
According to the US, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain are currently participating in Operation Prosperity Guardian. Germany is reportedly still considering whether to participate.
Some shipping companies have recently adjusted the routes of their ships due to the threat of missiles and drones; instead of sailing through the Suez Canal, they are now sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. The consequences could once again be skyrocketing freight rates and supply chain bottlenecks.
