The United States has announced the launch of a multinational special security operation to protect shipping in the Red Sea.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin reported this on December 18.

Operation Prosperity Guardian is being deployed to protect against Houthi attacks on merchant ships.

According to Austin, attacks by Yemeni Houthis threaten free navigation, endanger seafarers, and violate international law.

He noted that the Red Sea is an important waterway and a major trade corridor for merchant ships traveling from the East to Europe, which facilitates international trade.

Operation Prosperity Guardian to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden brought together mostly NATO allies and other countries in the region.

In particular, in addition to the USA, the following countries joined the international mission: the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.

It will be conducted to ensure freedom of navigation and strengthen regional security.

In recent weeks, merchant ships from different countries have come under fire by the Houthis from Yemen. The Houthis have also announced their intention to attack all ships in the Red Sea heading to Israel, regardless of who owns them.

In addition, missile and drone attacks were directed at warships of various countries already patrolling the region. In particular, there were attempts to fire at US ships.

On December 26, HMS Diamond, the British missile destroyer, shot down a suspected attack drone targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

On December 11, it was reported that the French Languedoc frigate (D653) shot down two drones that were targeting the ship while patrolling the Red Sea.