Shipping Companies Take Precautionary Measures
Due to the severity of recent attacks, shipping companies have ordered their vessels to hold in place and refrain from entering the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the security situation can be addressed. The attacks, which have caused damage to several vessels, have raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the area.
US Central Command Reports More Attacks
The US Central Command has reported two additional attacks on commercial vessels on Monday. According to the US military, a tanker was hit by an attack drone and a ballistic missile, while a cargo ship experienced an explosive detonation in the water nearby. These incidents further highlight the need for collective action to address the security challenges in the region.
Operation Prosperity Guardian: Addressing Security Challenges
US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, has emphasized the international nature of the challenge and the importance of joint efforts to address the security threats. Operation Prosperity Guardian aims to bring together multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, to ensure freedom of navigation and enhance regional security in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Austin expressed concern over the recent Houthi aggression, stating that it “threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law.” The US is actively seeking additional member countries to join the mission and bolster the naval presence in the region.
Protecting Freedom of Navigation
The Red Sea is a vital waterway that facilitates international trade and upholds the principle of freedom of navigation. The recent attacks by non-state actors, launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles at merchant vessels, pose a significant challenge to this principle. Austin emphasized the need for countries to come together and address the issue collectively.
Implications for Global Trade
The attacks and the resulting security concerns have already impacted the global economy. Approximately 10-15% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, and rerouting ships through the Cape of Good Hope has led to significant delays in the delivery of essential goods and materials, including oil and gas.
International Coalition and UN Security Council Action
Operation Prosperity Guardian involves multiple countries working together to protect commercial vessels in the region. However, China, which has warships in the area, has not participated in the coalition. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield is urging the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Houthi attacks.
New Maritime Security Mission
The expanded operation will be coordinated by the existing Combined Task Force 153, established in April 2022 to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden. The mission aims to provide ships and other assets to protect merchant vessels in the area. The participation of member nations in the mission is currently being determined.
The situation remains fluid, and efforts are underway to address the security challenges and safeguard international shipping in the region.
