The US finally unveiled its most awaited Red Sea task force called the "Operation Prosperity Guardian." The US Department of Defense announced this initiative for the Indian Ocean inlet on Monday, Dec. 18.
The announcement of Operation Prosperity Guardian was made after the United States warned that appropriate responses would be made if Iran-backed militants continued to assault commercial ships passing through the Red Sea. But how can the new US Red Sea task force prevent Houthi missile and drone attacks in the region? Will it be efficient? Here are the latest details.
US Unveils Red Sea Security Task Force!
A Tomahawk cruise missile flies toward Iraq after being launched from the AEGIS guided missile cruiser USS San Jacinto March 25, 2003 in the Red Sea.
Via the US Department of Defense's official press release, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that innocent mariners' lives are being put in danger because of the Houthi attacks coming from Yemen.
He added that these reckless drone and missile attacks are international law violations, explained Austin.
"The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade," the top US defense official added.
Lloyd Austin explained that the US and other countries seeking to ensure the foundational principle of navigation freedom should work as one to tackle the challenges posed by the non-state actor, which launches UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and ballistic missiles against commercial vessels.
This is why the new Operation Prosperity Guardian was established.
Read Also: US Warns 'Appropriate Responses' If Iran-Backed Militants Continue Assaults on Commercial Ships
What is US Operation Prosperity Guardian?
In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) leads the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers JS Ashigara (DDG 178), left front, and JS Samidare (DD 106), left rear, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), center rear.
According to ABC News' latest report, the new Operation Prosperity Guardian is the latest initiative of the United States and will be built upon a current counterpiracy mission in the region called Task Force 153.
The US defense secretary said that it will be an important multinational security effort under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces; focusing on ensuring security in the Red Sea.
Austin further stated that the new Red Sea task force is bringing multiple countries together to tackle drone and missile attacks that pester merchant ships in the region.
These nations include France, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Canada, and Seychelles.
Austin added that all these countries, together with the US, will make drastic efforts to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and bolster regional prosperity and security.
Related Article: Iran Warns US Red Sea Security Task Force; Iranian Defense Minister Says Region is No Place for Outsiders
