United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced the setting up of a fresh maritime task force aimed at safeguarding commercial ships voyaging through the Red Sea from assaults by Houthi militants.

Austin released a statement on Monday that stated, "The recent surge in rash Houthi attacks originating from Yemen endangers innocent mariners, threatens the free flow of commerce, and violates international law." "Collaborative action is required to address this worldwide challenge."

This new initiative, named "Operation Prosperity Guardian," involves several nations such as the US, the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain. Its operations will fall under the jurisdiction of an existing coalition in the area known as the Combined Maritime Forces, specifically led by Task Force 153, which concentrates on securing the Red Sea.

During a briefing held in Tel Aviv alongside his Israeli counterpart, Austin announced plans to convene a virtual ministerial meeting on Tuesday. The agenda will revolve around discussing strategies to ensure the safety of ships navigating the Red Sea. The US has been engaging in discussions with Gulf allies regarding potential military responses to the escalating attacks carried out by the Houthis.

The strikes in the Red Sea, a vital waterway for energy and commerce that handles 12% of global traffic, have surfaced as a new threat to global supply networks and an extension of the conflicts in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, an organization backed by Iran. According to the US, the Houthis are also serving as Iran's proxy.

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