The United States on Tuesday called on the global community to step up efforts to create an international naval task force to protect a key global shipping route from Yemen’s Houthis, who have said they intend to continue attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea.
The task force, which Austin first announced late Monday, will include warships from the United States, as well as Britain, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, France and other countries.
The Iran-backed Houthis say their missile and drone attacks on passing container ships are aimed at supporting Palestinians in Gaza.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the unprecedented series of attacks in the waters leading to the Suez Canal, through which about 10 percent of the world’s commercial shipping passes.
Insurance costs have risen sharply, forcing major shipping companies to reroute their ships around the southern tip of Africa, despite higher fuel costs associated with much longer voyages.
The Pentagon chief, in Qatar on Tuesday after a visit to Israel, told a virtual meeting with representatives of 43 countries, the EU and NATO that the Houthi attacks threaten free trade.
He called on other countries to “join U.S.-led and other international initiatives … to restore security in the Red Sea to deter further Houthi aggression,” the Pentagon said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Houthis said they would continue their attacks in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Britain said Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has joined the US-led task force dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian.
“These unlawful attacks pose an unacceptable threat to the global economy… and threaten to drive up fuel prices,” UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.
Italy announced that it was sending the frigate Virgilio Fasan to the Red Sea.
Spain also announced its potential readiness to join the operation.
