The US is creating a multinational mission to fight the Houthis

During his visit to the Middle East, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is preparing to announce a large-scale multinational mission, called Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter the ongoing threat of drones and missiles by the Yemeni Houthis against merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Israeli media reported.
The decision comes after US and UK warships shot down Houthi drones in recent days.
"I am going to Israel, Bahrain and Qatar to emphasize US commitments to strengthen regional security and stability and to work with partners and allies to advance defense capabilities," the defense minister said in X.
On November 15, two shipping companies, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, announced that they would suspend operations in the Red Sea following the Houthi attacks. A day later, two other major shipping companies, Mediterranean Shipping Company and CMA CGM did the same.
Austin, meanwhile, ordered the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and another warship to remain in the Mediterranean for several more weeks to maintain a two-ship presence near Israel as the war with Hamas continues.
The Pentagon has increased its military presence in the region since the devastating attacks by Hamas on October 7 - in which Palestinian terrorists killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel, most of them civilians, and took about 240 hostages.
BGNES reminds that the ship Galaxy Leader is still in captivity of the Houthis along with the crew, which includes two Bulgarians. The vessel was attacked on November 19 and is currently anchored off the coast of a port in the Red Sea. The Houthis even turned it into a tourist attraction.
An Indian naval ship continues to monitor the situation surrounding the captured Bulgarian cargo ship "Rouen" with 9 Bulgarians on board, which was earlier revealed to be heading towards the coast of Somalia. Earlier, a ship of the Spanish Navy headed at full speed towards Rouen. /BGNES