Operation Prosperity Guardian is a United States-led military operation launched in December 2023 to address the Houthi-led attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. This ongoing operation aims to safeguard the freedom of navigation and protect international maritime commerce in the region.
Responding to Houthi Threats
Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the Houthi movement blockaded Israel in the Red Sea and launched attacks against commercial vessels associated with Israel. In response, the multinational coalition was formed to end the blockade and counter the threats posed by Houthi forces to international maritime traffic.
Caption: Houthi Movement
The Coalition and its Challenges
The coalition consists of more than 20 members, with some choosing to remain anonymous. Notably, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, both economically reliant on unhindered commercial shipping in the area, are absent from the listed participants. France, Italy, and Spain have also declined to participate. Nevertheless, the coalition remains committed to its mission of ensuring the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
Importance of Operation Prosperity Guardian
The Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden are vital shipping routes that connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean. These waterways play a significant role in global trade, making the security and safety of maritime traffic crucial for the global economy. The ongoing threats caused by Houthi attacks have disrupted shipping, impacting major shipping companies and prompting the diversion of routes away from the Suez Canal.
Caption: Ensuring safe passage for cargo ships
Coalition Forces
The operation is led by Combined Task Force 153, under the control of the U.S. Combined Maritime Forces. The United States Navy's Carrier Strike Group 2, consisting of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and accompanying Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, USS Gravely, USS Laboon, and USS Mason, is part of the coalition. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, and Australia, have also contributed vessels and personnel to the operation.
Reactions and Future Developments
The Houthi movement has made bold claims regarding its capabilities and threats to the coalition's fleet. However, the international community remains steadfast in its commitment to maintain maritime security in the region. France, Italy, and Spain have chosen to maintain their independent command of their warships, while major shipping companies have adjusted their routes accordingly.
Operation Prosperity Guardian continues its mission to uphold the freedom of navigation and secure maritime traffic, vital for the global economy. Through this multinational endeavor, the coalition aims to ensure a safe and thriving maritime environment in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden.
References
- [^1]: United States Department of Defense. (2023, December 18). "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Announces Operation Prosperity Guardian." Retrieved from [link].
- [^2]: Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence. (2024, January 14). "SL Navy vessel departs for Operation Prosperity Guardian." Retrieved from [link].
- [^3]: The Economist. (2023, December 22). "A new Suez crisis." Retrieved from [link].
External links
- Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). "Operation Prosperity Guardian." Retrieved from [link].
