Houthi attacks continue on the Red Sea, despite a maritime mission

(Christiansted) Yemen’s Houthi rebels show no signs of stopping their “reckless” attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the top commander of US naval forces in the Middle East said Saturday, even as as new countries join the international maritime mission to protect ships on this vital waterway, commercial traffic begins to ramp up.

Since Operation Prosperity Guardian was announced just over 10 days ago, 1,200 merchant ships have passed through the Red Sea region, and none have been hit by drone or missile strikes, it said. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper in an interview with the Associated Press.

He added that other countries should join the agreement. Denmark was the latest, announcing plans Friday to send a frigate to the mission announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit to Bahrain, where the 5 is based.^e U.S. Navy Fleet, saying “this is an international challenge that requires collective action.”

The narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, then to the Suez Canal. This crucial trade route connects markets in Asia and Europe. The severity of the attacks, several of which damaged ships, led several shipping companies to order their ships to stay put and not enter the strait until the security situation improves. Some large shippers sent their ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, increasing the time and costs of travel.

Currently, five warships from the United States, France and the United Kingdom are patrolling the waters of the southern Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden, said Cooper, who leads the 5^e fleet. Since the start of the operation, the ships have shot down a total of 17 drones and four anti-ship ballistic missiles, it said.

Two days ago, the USS Mason, a Navy destroyer, shot down a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthis, according to US Central Command. The United States declared that the 22^e Attack on international shipping by the Houthis since October 19 had caused no damage to any of the 18 vessels in the area, and reported no injuries.

“I think in the coming weeks we will welcome other countries,” Cooper said, referring to Denmark’s recent announcement.

The United States has said more than 20 countries are participating, but a number of those countries have not publicly acknowledged it.

Cooper said the coalition was in direct communication with commercial vessels to provide advice on “maneuvers and best practices to avoid attack,” and was working closely with the shipping industry. maritime to coordinate security.

An international task force was created in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the region. But Mr Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian had more ships and a persistent presence to assist the ships.

Since the start of the operation, the Houthis have intensified their use of anti-ship ballistic missiles, Cooper said. “We are aware that the Houthis’ irresponsible attacks are likely to continue,” he said.

The Houthis seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014, launching a bitter war against a Saudi-led coalition that sought to restore the government. Militants have sporadically targeted ships in the region, but attacks have increased since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Houthis have threatened to attack any ship they believe is heading to or coming from Israel. This has apparently extended to any ship, with container ships and oil tankers flying the flags of countries like Norway and Liberia being attacked or coming under missile fire.

The shipping company Maersk announced earlier that it had decided to redirect its ships, stopped for days outside the strait and the Red Sea, and instead send them around Africa. Maersk said on December 25 that it would resume sending ships through the strait, citing this operation. Mr Cooper said another shipping company had also started using the route again.

“The business is really fluid,” Mr. Cooper said.