Coalition for the Protection of Commercial Navigation in the Red Sea

The Pentagon announced a a military coalition consisting of 10 countries in order to guarantee the safety and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in the face of repeated attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen.

The coalition, apart from the United States, consists of the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Bahrain and Seychelles, according to the press release. Pentagon chief Lloyd J. Austin.

The coalition will operate under the name ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ and under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces (CFM, in English).

The CMF is a 39-nation coalition commanded by US Navy Vice Admiral Brad Cooper whose goal is protect the flow of trade and improve maritime security in the different regions where it is present.

These countries will jointly deal with “security challenges” in south of the Red Sea and in the Gulf of Aden “with the aim of guaranteeing freedom of navigation for all countries and strengthening regional security and prosperity”, according to the Pentagon’s statement.

Justin assured that Attacks by Houthi rebels “threaten the free flow of trade”endangers innocent sailors and violates international law” in a region that is “an important corridor that facilitates international trade”.

“Countries that wish to defend the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation must unite to face the challenge posed by this non-state actor that launches ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against merchant ships of many nations that legally pass through international waters,” he said.

“This,” he insisted, “is an international challenge that requires collective action.”

Austin called a meeting with ministers from the region and other countriess to resolve the situation in the Red Sea.

After the outbreak of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, The Houthis, with Iran’s support, have fired several rockets and drones at southern Israel in the past two months. and also against ships sailing under the flag of the Jewish state or owned by Israeli companies in the Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb Strait.

Since last Friday, Major shipping groups have announced that they are suspending their operations in the Red Seaor, among them Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, and today they were joined by the oil company BP, which temporarily canceled the passage of its vessels through that area.

Last week President of Israel Isaac Herzoghe called for a “truly international coalition” to fight Yemen’s Houthi rebels, so that US-led actions are “intensified and strengthened”.