CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands — CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels are showing no signs of ending their “reckless” attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the top commander of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East said Saturday, even now continuing more countries join the armed forces. international maritime mission to protect ships in vital waterways and trade begins to pick up.
Since Operation Prosperity Guardian was announced just over 10 days ago, 1,200 merchant ships have passed through the Red Sea region, and none have been hit by drone or missile attacks, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said in an interview with the Associated Press. He said more countries are expected to join. Denmark was the latest, announcing Friday that it plans to send a frigate to the mission that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced during a visit to Bahrain, where the Navy's 5th Fleet is based, saying that “this is an international challenge that requires collective action.”
The Iran-backed Houthis say their attacks are targeting Israeli-linked ships in an effort to halt Israel's offensive in Gaza.
The narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and then to the Suez Canal. The crucial trade route connects markets in Asia and Europe. The severity of the attacks, which damaged several ships, prompted several shipping companies to order their ships to remain in place and not enter the strait until the security situation improved. Some major shippers sent their ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, adding time and expense to the voyages.
Currently, five warships from the United States, France and the United Kingdom patrol the waters of the southern Red Sea and western Gulf of Aden, said Cooper, who heads the 5th Fleet. Since the start of the operation, the ships have shot down a total of 17 drones and four anti-ship ballistic missiles, he said.
Just two days ago, the USS Mason, a Navy destroyer, downed a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Houthis, US Central Command said. The US said the 22nd attack on international shipping by the Houthis since October 19 did not damage any of the 18 ships in the area or cause any reported injuries.
“I expect we'll get even more countries in the coming weeks,” Cooper said, pointing to Denmark's recent announcement.
The US has said more than 20 countries are participating, but some of those countries have not publicly acknowledged this.
On Saturday, Austin discussed the ongoing illegal Houthi attacks in a phone call with Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, the Pentagon said. Both condemned the attacks as unacceptable and “profoundly destabilizing” to the international order and global trade, with Austin emphasizing that they “present a significant international problem that requires collective action.”
Cooper said the coalition is in direct communication with commercial ships to provide advice on “maneuvering and best practices to avoid being attacked,” and works closely with the shipping industry to coordinate security.
An international task force was established in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the region. But Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian has more ships and a sustained presence to assist ships.
Since the start of the operation, the Houthis have increased their use of anti-ship ballistic missiles, Cooper said. “It is clear to us that the Houthis' reckless attacks are likely to continue,” he said.
The Houthis captured Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014, launching a crushing war against a Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore the government. The militants have sporadically attacked ships in the region, but the attacks have increased since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
The Houthi threatened to attack any ship they believe is going to or coming from Israel. This has escalated to apparently every ship, with container ships and oil tankers flying the flag of countries such as Norway and Liberia being attacked or rockets fired.
Shipping company Maersk previously announced that it had decided to divert its ships, which have been moored outside the Strait and the Red Sea for days, and instead send them around Africa. Maersk announced on December 25 that it would send ships through the strait again, citing the operation. Cooper said another shipping company had also resumed use of the route.
“Business is definitely flowing,” Cooper said.
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Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.