New operation named to protect freedom of navigation in Red Sea

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin today announced the establishment of a new multinational military operation to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea following continued attacks in the region on U.S. warships and commercial vessels.

Operation Prosperity Guardian will include forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, “to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity,” Austin said in a statement.

“The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners and violates international law,” he said. “The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade.”

Austin said the nations of Operation Prosperity Guardian will join 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.”