Several U.S. allies have confirmed their support for efforts to protect navigation in the Red Sea following attacks carried out by the Houthi group in Yemen. However, some have stated that they will not join a naval coalition that Washington claims to be forming for this mission. This response has added to the confusion for shipping companies, some of which have altered their vessels' routes away from the region after the attacks, which the Houthi group claims are retaliatory actions against the Israeli assault on Gaza.
*What has the U.S. announced?*
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday plans to form a multinational coalition to protect maritime navigation in the Red Sea called "Operation Prosperity Guardian." During his tour of the Middle East, Austin stated that the coalition will include the U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.
*What are other countries saying?*
- **France**: The French Ministry of Defense stated that it supports efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the surrounding region and is already operating in the area. However, it added that its ships will remain under French command and did not mention whether it would deploy additional naval forces. France has a naval base in the UAE and 1,500 soldiers in Djibouti. Its frigate, La Fayette, is currently in the Red Sea.
- **Italy**: The Italian Ministry of Defense announced that it will send the frigate Virginio Fasan to the Red Sea to protect its interests in response to specific requests from Italian ship owners. It stated that this is part of its ongoing operations and not part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
- **Spain**: The Spanish Ministry of Defense stated that it will only participate in NATO-led missions or EU-coordinated operations, adding, "We will not participate unilaterally in the Red Sea operation."
- **Britain**: The U.K. confirmed that HMS Diamond will join Operation Prosperity Guardian. The British Ministry of Defense stated that the coalition will operate as part of the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces.
- **Other Countries**: The Netherlands indicated that it will send two officers, while Norway stated it will send ten naval officers to Bahrain, which hosts the headquarters of the Combined Maritime Forces.
*What existing naval coalitions operate in the region?*
Naval forces from several countries already participate in international operations to protect shipping routes in the region, which include protecting ships from pirates who disrupted shipping off the coast of Somalia for several years. Those missions include:
- **Operation Atalanta**: Established by the European Union Naval Force in Somalia, it operates off the Horn of Africa and in the western Indian Ocean to support UN resolutions to protect maritime areas from piracy, based in Spain.
- **Operation Agenor**: This is a European-led operation aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping lane for oil exports from Gulf countries.
- **Combined Maritime Forces**: A multinational maritime partnership led by the U.S. from Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet. The Combined Maritime Forces comprises 39 members, including NATO member countries, European nations, regional states, and others. One of its missions is Task Force 153, which operates in the Red Sea.
