Over 20 Countries Join US Coalition to Protect Ships in the Red Sea

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that more than 20 countries have joined the US-led coalition to protect ships in the Red Sea from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis, supported by the Islamic Republic, have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in this vital shipping route with attacks they claim are in support of Palestinians in Gaza. General Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesperson, stated, "This coalition led by the United States consists of countries from around the world committed to maintaining freedom of navigation and security in the Red Sea." He mentioned that coalition forces are patrolling the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to respond to commercial vessels passing through this critical international waterway and assist them against Houthi attacks if necessary. The Houthi attacks on Yemeni ships in the Red Sea have reduced tanker passage through the area by 40%. According to Bloomberg, only 30 tankers have passed through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait this week, indicating a 40% decrease compared to the average passage through this strait in the three weeks prior. Since the onset of the war between Israel and the extremist group Hamas, the Houthis have launched multiple attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea, claiming these ships are connected to Israel. Following these attacks, some major shipping companies have halted cargo and oil transport through this strait in recent days. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, previously stated that the Islamic Republic has enabled the attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis are a rebel group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which seized large parts of Yemen after ousting the internationally recognized Yemeni government. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford on Wednesday, thanking the crew for helping to prevent the escalation of conflict in the Middle East during the Israel-Hamas war. Austin remarked, "This ship and its crew are making history. Sometimes our greatest achievement is preventing evil from occurring. And in times of great tension in the region, all of you have been the key factor in preventing a broader regional conflict." The US Defense Secretary emphasized that one of the United States' goals is to ensure that the Gaza crisis does not escalate into a regional conflict, and he believes they have managed it well. It is unclear how long the Ford will remain in the Eastern Mediterranean and whether it will return to its home port in Virginia before Israel transitions from intense battles in Gaza to a more limited phase of war aimed at eliminating Hamas. The Ford, which operates on nuclear energy, is a small floating city that accommodates over four thousand personnel and eight squadrons of aircraft. This ship has become a powerful symbol of America's resolve in supporting Israel following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. There are concerns about rising global consumer goods prices due to Houthi disruptions in maritime shipping. Greece is sending a frigate to the Red Sea; the European Union Navy is joining Operation "Guardian of Welfare." Lloyd Austin, during his visit to the Ford aircraft carrier, stated: "We will not allow the war in Gaza to become a regional conflict." The US stated that Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea must be stopped. The US and its allies urged other countries not to encourage the Houthis in their attacks on ships. The Israeli attacks on Gaza continue; Netanyahu stated that the war will not stop until hostages are freed and Hamas is destroyed.