Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new multinational security initiative, was recently announced by several nations including the United States, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain. This operation aims to safeguard merchant ships in the Red Sea area from drone and missile attacks, particularly those launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The U.S. Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, stated on December 18 that the initiative would operate under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and its Task Force 153. The CMF, a 39-nation maritime partnership based in Bahrain, focuses on securing various strategic maritime regions and countering piracy. Task Force 153, established in 2022, specifically addresses human trafficking, smuggling, and the interdiction of illegal weapons and drugs in the Red Sea.
Approximately 20,000 commercial vessels travel through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden annually. The initiative representing more than 35 countries, responds to over 100 attacks by Houthi rebels using drones and missiles against merchant vessels.
Several nations have already committed resources to Operation Prosperity Guardian. Britain is deploying the HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer with air defence capabilities, which recently intercepted a Houthi drone. This marks the Royal Navy’s first aerial target engagement since the Gulf War in 1991. Italy is contributing the multimission frigate Virginio Fasan to counter terrorist activities and protect shipping routes. France’s multimission frigate Languedoc has been active in the area since early December, successfully engaging hostile drones. Norway is providing staff officers to the CMF, and the Netherlands is contributing two staff officers while considering the deployment of ships.
This collaborative effort underlines the international community’s commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation and regional stability in the face of increasing security threats in the Middle East. See one minute recap clip here.
