US & Allied Western Navies initiate special operation to secure maritime passage in Red Sea.

According to information published by the US DoD on December 18, 2023, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has announced the initiation of Operation Prosperity Guardian in response to the recent increase in Houthi attacks from Yemen, which have been impacting maritime security in the Red Sea.
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Houthi militant during the assault of the civilian ship Galaxy Leader. (Picture source: Houthis movement)

Operation Prosperity Guardian is a multinational security initiative, involving ten countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.

Context

In November, a series of missile and drone attacks were launched by the Houthis. On November 14, a missile aimed towards Eilat was intercepted by Israeli defense systems.

The USS Thomas Hudner, a U.S. Navy destroyer, shot down a drone from Yemen on November 15. Later in the month, the Houthis fired a cruise missile towards Eilat, which was successfully intercepted by an Israeli F-35. The USS Thomas Hudner was also involved in shooting down several attack drones launched from Yemen.

The situation escalated in December with multiple attacks on shipping vessels. The USS Mason shot down a drone on December 6, and on December 10, the French Navy's frigate Languedoc intercepted two drones in the Red Sea. On December 16, the US Navy reportedly shot down 14 drones, while Egyptian Air Defense Forces intercepted an object near Dahab.

Specific attacks on shipping included the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader on November 19, a drone strike on the CMA CGM Symi on November 24, and the hijacking of the Central Park on November 26, which was later freed by the USS Mason with all hijackers captured.

In early December, multiple ships including the Unity Explorer, Number 9, and Sophie II were struck by anti-ship missiles. On December 12, the Strinda was attacked by both an anti-ship missile and a drone, with the French Navy frigate Languedoc shooting down the drone.