The US led a 10-nation coalition against Houthi attacks

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced a new US-led coalition that will focus on "security challenges in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden" following recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on commercial maritime traffic in the region, Xi said. Ann Ann.
"I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the auspices of the Joint Maritime Forces and the leadership of their 153rd Task Force, which focuses on security in the Red Sea," Austin said.
The US defense secretary, who is in the Middle East for meetings with senior Israeli officials to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, said the countries "must come together to address the challenge posed by this non-state actor firing ballistic missiles and drones on commercial ships from many countries that legally transit international waters". The multinational coalition includes the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain.
"The recent escalation of reckless Houthi attacks originating in Yemen threatens the free flow of trade, endangers innocent seafarers and violates international law," Austin said.
"The Red Sea is an important waterway that is essential for freedom of navigation and a major trade corridor that facilitates international trade," he added.
The announcement came after the USS Carney responded to a distress call from a merchant ship on December 18 after it was hit by "multiple shells" in the southern Red Sea, the US military secretary said.
The Houthis later claimed responsibility for the attack on the vessel. The group said it also attacked another ship and that both vessels were linked to Israel. The Houthis also said "no harm will be done" to ships bound for ports around the world, "except for Israeli ports."
Yemen's Houthi forces have attacked merchant ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks were in retaliation against Israel. Oil giant BP has announced that it will stop all shipping through the Red Sea due to the "deteriorating security situation", becoming the latest shipping company to suspend routes through the canal./BGNES