U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin announced Monday the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, which focuses on security in the Red Sea.
Austin added in a press release that the OPG is an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense said :The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law.
He added: Countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and un-crewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters.
Austin described the latest developments as “an international challenge that demands collective action.”
According to Austin’s press release, Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity.