US defence secretary announces multi-national operation to safeguard Red Sea

Joint patrols are to be carried out in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said.

It follows attacks on ships in the area, using drones and ballistic missiles, from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Nations participating in the US-led initiative include the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain.

In response to the attacks, several multi-national shipping companies have stopped their vessels travelling across the Red Sea, which is south of the Suez Canal – a major shipping route.

Mr Austin, who has moved on to Bahrain – the US Navy’s headquarters in the Middle East – after visiting Israel, said the Red Sea attacks were an “international challenge that demands collective action”.

He added: “Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multi-national security initiative.”

Several other countries will also be taking part but would prefer to remain anonymous, the AP news agency reported, citing an official.

Source » sky.com