Launched by the U.S. Department of Defence, Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
According to the U.S. Department of Defence, countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters.
Therefore, today 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.
… said U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III
Operation Prosperity Guardian countries include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
In reaction to this, The World Shipping Council today expressed its thanks to the member nations of the Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition formed to address the maritime security crisis in the Red Sea region. The Council also called upon the global community to continue to pursue every possible diplomatic effort in support of security in and safe navigation through this region that is vital to international trade.
I particularly want to stress the importance of the coalition’s action to defend the safety and lives of our seafarers – the thousands of men and women from around the world who every day ensure vessels carrying food, medicines, humanitarian supplies, and goods of all kinds safely reach their destination ports on every continent.
… noted World Shipping Council CEO, John W. Butler
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) also welcomed the announcement, adding that they call on member states to use their diplomatic influence and bring pressure to bear on the Houthis to de-escalate the increasingly volatile situation in the region.
INTERCARGO also issued a statement upon the launch of the coalition, saying that whilst INTERCARGO welcomes the international coalition which has been set up to help combat the attacks, concerned states and the international community need to work together to ensure unhindered safe navigation and the well-being of innocent seafarers world-wide.
Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they launched a drone attack on Monday, targeting two more cargo vessels in the Red Sea, the latest in a series of assaults that have disrupted maritime trade as freight companies seek to avoid the area.
The Swan Atlantic’s owner said the ship was struck by an unidentified object but none of the crew was hurt. Details of the attack on the MSC Clara were not immediately clear.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea on Monday identified the vessels as the MSC Clara and Norwegian-owned Swan Atlantic and said the attacks were carried out after their crews failed to respond to calls from the group, Reuters reports.
