Shipping companies were reportedly in the dark Wednesday about the logistics of a U.S.-led coalition announced this week to protect ships transiting the Red Sea that have been attacked in recent weeks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen became.
Sources including shipping and maritime security officials told Portal few details were known about how the coalition would operate.
“There are still a number of unknowns in the coalition. “We don’t know exactly how many warships will be involved, how long it will take for those ships to get to the region, or what rules of engagement will apply and what actual protection system will be put in place,” said Corey Ranslem, managing director of the British consultancy – and maritime risk security company Dryad Global, told Portal.
“It is a fairly small area on a global scale, but protecting commercial vessels in this region could be a major undertaking depending on the number of vessels and any changes in Houthi tactics,” he added.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement on Tuesday: “The recent escalation of reckless Houthi attacks from Yemen threatens free trade, endangers innocent sailors and violates international law.”
“Operation Prosperity Guardian brings together multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the aim of: “Ensure freedom of navigation for all countries and strengthen regional security and prosperity,” Austin added.
A source was quoted by Portal as saying: “Are they going to do anything other than shoot the missiles out of the sky?” If that's all, will there be the assurances needed for shipping companies? We do not know yet.”