US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned on Tuesday that attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea are affecting the global economy and will continue to threaten shipping unless there is a concerted international effort.
“The attacks have already impacted the global economy and will continue to threaten commercial shipping unless the international community comes together to jointly address the problem,” the official said, quoted in the statement and as part of the ministerial meeting via video conference. from Bahrain.
At the meeting, which brought together ministers, Defense Department officials and senior officials from 43 countries, as well as the European Union and NATO, Austin reaffirmed the United States’ (U.S.) commitment to free shipping and trade flows along critical shipping lanes. region of the USA.
The US Secretary of State called on participants in the videoconference to join both US and other international initiatives aimed at restoring security in the Red Sea and deterring future aggression.
On Tuesday, the rebels assured that they would not stop attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea.
“Even if America manages to mobilize the whole world, our military operations will not stop (…), no matter what sacrifices we have to make,” rebel leader Mohammed al-Buhaiti assured in a message published on the social network X (formerly Twitter). .
Al-Buhaiti said the attacks would only be stopped “if Israel stops its crimes and food, medicine and fuel start flowing to the trapped population” in the Gaza Strip.
The US Secretary of Defense detailed “the creation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a major new multinational security initiative” involving the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
Some countries will conduct joint patrols and others will provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Prosperity Guardian mission will be coordinated by the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), which includes CTF 153, established in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The CMF includes 39 countries, including Portugal, and U.S. officials said they are holding talks to determine which countries will participate in the new mission.
Last week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for a “truly international coalition” to fight Yemen’s Houthi rebels and for a “reinvigorated and strengthened US-led response.”
The Houthi rebel movement belongs to a self-proclaimed “axis of resistance” along with Iran, Syria, the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah and the Palestinian Sunni group Hamas.
Since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have fired rockets and drones at southern Israel, as well as ships flying the Israeli flag or owned by Israeli companies in the Red Sea and the Straits. Mandeb.
Since Friday, major shipping groups have suspended their operations in the Red Sea, including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, and on Monday oil company BP joined them in temporarily canceling the passage of its vessels through the region.
The tanker Swan Atlantic was attacked on Monday while sailing in the Red Sea, according to its owner, Norwegian company Inventor Chemical Tankers, after the Royal Navy warned of further incidents near the strait.
The Norwegian Shipping Association has called on Norwegian and international authorities to find a solution to ensure the safety of civilian ships in the Red Sea.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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