Pentagon announces expansion of maritime coalition protecting 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Dec 2023 07:14

The Pentagon's spokesperson says the US will deploy air assets in the context of its operation aiming to deter Yemeni forces from effectively targeting Israeli ports-bound ships.

Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington, the United States, on October 5, 2023. (AP)

The United States expects the naval coalition, it recently spearheaded, to grow as it continues to consult with partners, US Department of State Press Secretary Pat Ryder stated on Thursday.

"In the days ahead, the United States will continue to consult closely with our allies and partners who share the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, and we expect to see the coalition continue to grow," Ryder said during a press briefing.

The US established the coalition under the pretext of securing international trade routes from the attacks of the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF). This comes after the YAF conducted multiple operations in the Red Sea targeting Israeli-owned vessels and ships heading to Israeli ports, passing through the Arabian Sea or the Red Sea.

Importantly, the YAF has reiterated, on multiple occasions, that its attacks will not target ships other than Israeli-affiliated vessels. Yemen's military has stuck true to its promises and has even sent multiple warnings to ships it targeted, commanding them to change course, before targeting them with missile or drone attacks, that have not resulted in any casualties.

US announces expansion

Initially, the US had announced that the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain would be working with the Pentagon to "address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden," under the umbrella of Operation Prosperity Guardian.

However, an Associated Press report indicated that more countries had joined the coalition, but they preferred that their participation remain anonymous. The Pentagon spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that more than 20 countries have signed on to participate in the coalition, affirming the accuracy of the report.

The US continues to frame the YAF's operations, as a threat to international trade. Ryder made the allegation again during the press briefing, saying that the attacks are an international problem requiring an international response.

Air Force to join Red Sea operations

The spokesperson also confirmed that air assets will be part of the forces it seeks to mobilize in the Red Sea.

"I'm not going to go into the specifics in terms of which capabilities or which assets per se, but yes, air will be a part of this. You know, especially when it comes to maritime domain awareness, air power is always a significant contributor to that," Ryder said during a press briefing.

Preparing to deal with a large Yemeni arsenal that can target vessels via multiple modes of action, the US-led coalition faces a huge challenge and will look to push as many forces as possible to the region.

Fabian Hinz, a research fellow specializing in Middle East defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank, told Newsweek that the US is already "stretched" with its international commitments. In detail, the expert stressed that although the US Navy is capable of thwarting anti-ship attacks, it "can't be everywhere all the time."

According to Hinz, the US is faced with a "near impossible task", as it attempts to escort trading vessels passing in a huge body of water.

YAF to respond to any aggression

In this context, a member of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen, Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, confirmed in a statement to Al Mayadeen that the goal of the maritime coalition was intended to protect "Israel" and not international navigation.

Al-Houthi stressed that the discourse and statements of the YAF confirm that international navigation is safe for everyone, except for Israeli ships or those bound to the ports of the Israeli occupation.

The senior official warned that any country that opens its airspace to enemy fighter jets, intending to target Yemen, will be dealt with, adding that the YAF is "working to overcome the practical field challenges facing the missiles that we use to target the occupying entity."