USA forges defense pact for Red Sea

United States Forms Alliance to Ensure Red Sea Safety

With international shipping companies shying away from the Suez Canal due to rocket attacks by the Houthi rebels, the United States is taking action. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the formation of a multinational alliance, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to safeguard sea routes in the Red Sea. The alliance includes countries like the UK, Bahrain, France, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain. The aim is to conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The primary threat comes from the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are allied with Hamas. Although a statement from the Houthi was not immediately available, they've threatened to attack any ships heading to Israel and warned international shipping companies against calling at Israeli ports. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi politburo member, declared that they were capable of opposing any US-led coalition sent into the Red Sea. On Monday, they claimed responsibility for drone attacks on two other ships in the Red Sea.

Major shipping companies sidestep the Suez Canal route

The intent of the involved states to match the actions of US warships in recent days - stopping Houthi missiles and drones, and assisting merchant ships under attack - remains unclear. In light of the attacks, shipping giants like MSC, A.P. Moller-Maersk, CMA CGM, and Evergreen have paused their container shipments through the area. Germany's Hapag-Lloyd has also ceased sailing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea until further notice.

Approximately 15% of global shipping traffic passes through the Suez Canal, making it the shortest route between Europe and Asia. The longer journey around the Cape of Good Hope leads to extended travel times and elevated costs. The rebels announced they'd continue their attacks until the Israeli offensive in Gaza concludes. In recent weeks, they've also launched drones and rockets towards Israel.

Related Topics:

• In response to Houthi rebel threats, Hapag-Lloyd, a notable German shipping company, has temporarily halted sailing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
• The USA, along with its allies, including Hapag-Lloyd, is planning joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to address the growing risks posed by the Houthi rebels.
• The Red Sea has become a hotspot of tension, as major shipping companies like Maersk and MSC avoid the region due to rocket attacks by the Houthi rebels, allied with Hamas, who have also targeted Israeli ports.

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Enrichment Data: Enhancing this article with additional insights:

The current international efforts to safeguard sea routes in the Red Sea involve several aspects. Here's a summary:

U.S. Defense Cooperation and Regional Security

1. U.S.-Japan and U.S.-South Korea Alliances:
2. The US Secretary of Defense has emphasized the country's commitment to Japan and South Korea, planning to enhance defense cooperation to strengthen deterrence and uphold a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
3. Concerns about the deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation led the US to agree to respond with close cooperation from the international community.
4. La Perouse Exercise:
5. In a bid to advance maritime security in the region, allied forces conducted the La Perouse 2025 exercise, which incorporates maritime surveillance, interdiction, and air operations.
6. This exercise highlights the shared commitment to enrich regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Red Sea Security Concerns

1. Houthi Rebel Threats:
2. Despite reassurances from the Houthi that they'll cease offensive operations against merchant shipping if there's a reduction in suitable targets, the threat from the Yemeni movement remains significant.
3. There's a risk of a resurgence of the Yemeni Civil War, which could shift Houthi targets to coalition shipping instead of Israel-affiliated vessels.

International Cooperation

1. Multilateral Efforts:
2. The La Perouse exercise involves the participation of the US Navy and allied forces, emphasizing collaboration, warfighting, and readiness in a dynamic region.
3. The French Navy's Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group is operating in the Indo-Pacific as part of their Clemenceau 25 deployment, which reinforces the shared commitment to maritime security and continued deterrence in the region.

Role of Other Countries

1. UK and Bahrain:
2. Although the UK and Bahrain aren't directly mentioned as participating in the specific security alliance against Houthi rebels, both countries could contribute to regional security through their participation in international exercises or diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region.
3. Germany's Hapag-Lloyd:
4. Hapag-Lloyd, a German container line, is affected by the security situation in the Red Sea, even as ships are diverted via the Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns.
5. Despite the challenges, Hapag-Lloyd has managed to maintain operations with increased transport volumes and stable average freight rates, demonstrating its resilience in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, while the U.S. is actively engaged in securing sea routes in the Red Sea through its alliances with Japan and South Korea and exercises like La Perouse, countries like the UK and Bahrain aren't explicitly mentioned as direct participants in this context. Germany's Hapag-Lloyd is impacted but not directly involved in the security alliance.