Protection against Houthi attacks
USA negotiates maritime task force in the Red Sea
December 5, 2023, 12:46 a.m
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Ships that want to go through the Suez Canal have to pass through the Red Sea past Yemen. However, this is becoming increasingly dangerous. The Houthi rebels, supported by Tehran, are targeting merchant ships that they suspect have a connection to Israel. The USA and its partners are considering a permanent military presence in the region.
In light of increasing attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the US is considering increased cooperation with partners in the region. “We are currently in discussions with other countries about a kind of maritime task force, which, in addition to the United States, also involves ships from partner countries, to ensure the safe passage of ships in the Red Sea,” said US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser , Jake Sullivan. The talks are still ongoing and there is nothing concrete to announce yet.
Sullivan pointed to other transnational maritime entities in waters such as the Gulf of Oman or off the coast of Somalia in relation to piracy. In recent days, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. One of the world’s most important shipping routes runs along the Yemeni coast to and from the Suez Canal in Egypt. This canal connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, providing the shortest sea route from Asia to Europe. Around ten percent of all world trade passes through the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen had threatened to attack “all ships” linked to Israel. This is the Shiite militia’s response to Israel’s war against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. All ships that fly the Israeli flag, that are owned by Israeli companies or that are operated by Israeli companies are a target.
At the weekend, the Pentagon reported that several merchant ships had been attacked with drones and missiles in the Red Sea. The US destroyer “USS Carney” came to their aid and shot several drones. It was unclear whether he was also attacked himself. The Houthis themselves claimed attacks on two ships and once again threatened further attacks on Israeli freighters.