US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced the establishment of a multinational force aimed at safeguarding trade in the Red Sea, following a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels that led to the suspension of operations by several shipping companies. The coalition will include Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Seychelles, the United Kingdom, and other countries as part of a “multinational security initiative” consisting of ten nations. Austin emphasized the need for countries to unite in addressing the challenge posed by this non-state actor, stating that the attacks demanded collective action.
Over the weekend, the US and UK navies reported that their destroyers had successfully shot down a total of 15 drones in the waterway. These attacks, which have been on the rise since the beginning of the war in Gaza, have targeted vessels with alleged links to Israel or Israelis. In a recent demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for attacking the Norwegian-owned Swan Atlantic and the MSC Clara using naval drones. However, Swan Atlantic’s owner clarified that the vessel had no connection to Israel and was managed by a Singaporean firm. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi official and spokesperson, warned earlier on Monday that the group would confront any US-led coalition in the Red Sea. As a result of safety concerns, at least 12 shipping companies, including Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM, and AP Moller-Maersk, have suspended transit through the Red Sea. BP, a prominent UK oil giant, also announced on Monday that it would temporarily pause all transits through the Red Sea due to the deteriorating security situation. The company stated that it would review this precautionary measure as circumstances evolve in the region.
These Houthi attacks have significantly disrupted global trade by forcing freight companies to divert their routes around Africa, resulting in increased costs and delays for the delivery of essential goods such as energy, food, and consumer products. Approximately 12 percent of global trade passes through the Red Sea, with 30 percent of container traffic flowing through the region, which connects to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
The multinational force’s formation aims to counter the Houthi threat and restore stability to the Red Sea, ensuring the resumption of safe trade routes. The collaboration between countries underscores the importance of upholding the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation and the need to address the challenges posed by non-state actors in the region.
