US-Led Security Operation Targeting Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in Response to Houthi Attacks on Commercial Shipping: Austin Reveals

The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a new multinational security operation called Operation Prosperity Guardian to address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This initiative, led by Task Force 153 of the Combined Maritime Forces, aims to address recent attacks on commercial marine traffic by Houthi forces in the region.

Austin, who was in the region for meetings with senior Israeli officials to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, emphasized the need for countries to "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." The multinational operation involves the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 31, 2023.

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Austin stated that he had conversations with senior Israeli officials about the future of Gaza. He also expressed concern about the recent Houthi attacks from Yemen, warning that they pose a threat to the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law. He emphasized the importance of the Red Sea as a critical waterway for freedom of navigation and international trade.

Following the USS Carney's response to a distress call from a commercial vessel in the southern Red Sea, a US military official announced that the vessel had been attacked by "multiple projectiles." The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack and asserted that they had also targeted another ship linked to Israel. Additionally, the group stated that they will not harm ships heading to global ports, with the exception of those going to Israeli ports.

Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks are in retaliation against Israel. Oil company BP announced on Monday that it would temporarily halt all shipments through the Red Sea due to the "worsening security situation," making it the latest shipping company to suspend routes through the channel.

Over the weekend, the USS Carney intercepted and took down 14 drones launched from areas of Yemen under Houthi control, as reported by US Central Command. The unmanned aircraft systems "were believed to be one-way attack drones and were successfully intercepted with no harm to ships in the vicinity or any injuries reported," according to CENTCOM's statement released on Saturday.

The USS Thomas Hudner successfully intercepted numerous one-way attack drones from Yemen last month. Additionally, the USS Mason in the Gulf of Aden was targeted by two ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas after responding to a distress call from a commercial tanker under attack. In response to these attacks, the US has carried out strikes in eastern Syria and Iraq, specifically targeting weapons depots and storage facilities used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxy militia groups.

This story has been updated with additional details.