"US-Led Naval Coalition Aims to Safeguard Red Sea Shipping Amid Houthi Threats"

The US has announced the creation of a naval protection force, called Operation Prosperity Guardian, in the southern Red Sea to defend against increasing Houthi attacks on merchant shipping. Several countries, including Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, have joined the effort. However, notable absentees are Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Shipping companies have rerouted or halted traffic, and the Danish company Møller–Maersk has rerouted ships around Africa. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have targeted a variety of merchant tankers, and their attacks are expected to continue despite the coalition's formation. The absence of Egypt and Saudi Arabia weakens the maritime security effort, and there is a delicate balance between protecting shipping and avoiding escalation of the conflict.