United States deploying Red Sea force to counter Iran-backed Houthi attacks

In response to a surge in Houthi militia attacks in the Red Sea, the United States has initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, deploying a multinational task force to counter the threat posed by the Iran-backed rebel group.

The operation, however, raises concerns about the potential costs and risks associated with escalating tensions in the region.

Since October 7, the Pentagon has invested millions of dollars in intercepting Houthi drones and missiles targeting cargo vessels.

Operation Prosperity Guardian aims to address the threat, but questions linger about whether it may inadvertently expand the conflict and bring the U.S. closer to a regional war.

The Department of Defense reports that the Houthis have conducted 100 drone and ballistic missile attacks, targeting cargo vessels from more than 35 nations in the Red Sea, including U.S. Navy destroyers.

While most attacks have been intercepted, some have caused injuries and damage.

The hijacking of a ship, coupled with disruptions to shipping that block an estimated $10 million in cargo daily, has put security in the region on high alert.

Defending these vital global shipping lanes comes at a considerable cost, with each munition used against Houthi missiles and drones ranging from $1 million to $4.3 million. Logistical challenges arise as ships cannot reload at sea, necessitating a return to port, possibly Djibouti.

“The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. “The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade.”

“Countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters,” said Austin. “This is an international challenge that demands collective action.”

Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) is one of the five task forces operated by a 39-nation naval partnership known as the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Experts suggest a mix of interceptors, such as RIM66 SM-2, RIM66 SM-6, and ESSM Sea Sparrows, may be employed by destroyers and U.K. warships.

Despite the significant financial investment, doubts persist about the task force’s ability to fully deter the Houthis and prevent disruptions to maritime shipping.

Operation Prosperity Guardian includes key allies like the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain. Notably absent are NATO ally Turkey and Saudi Arabia, currently engaged in a ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen.

The Houthi movement, also known as Ansarallah (Supporters of God), is one side of the Yemeni civil war that has raged for nearly a decade.

It emerged in the 1990s, when its leader, Hussein al-Houthi, launched “Believing Youth,” a religious revival movement for a centuries-old subsect of Shia Islam called Zaidism.

The Zaidis ruled Yemen for centuries but were marginalized under the Sunni regime that came to power after the 1962 civil war.

Tensions between Sunnis and Shias, exploited by regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, could reshape the future Middle East.

While financial concerns are evident, experts point to the broader threat of escalation. The U.S. faces the risk of being drawn into a regional war at a time when its resources are stretched in Ukraine and amid ongoing support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

Although Palestinians are predominantly Sunni Muslims, the Houthi attacks are purportedly driven by opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Diplomacy has failed to halt their aggression, and the U.S. Navy fleets and troops in the region face increased risks, prompting the establishment of a multinational maritime security force.

At least 12 shipping companies, including major players like AP Moller-Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, Mediterranean Shipping Company, and CMA CGM, have suspended transit through the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks. The narrow Bab al-Mandeb Strait, vital for seaborne crude oil transportation, witnesses over 17,000 ships annually.

Operation Prosperity Guardian deploys warships as a deterrent to Houthi attacks, but concerns about its effectiveness remain. The task force’s ability to protect shipments through the Red Sea is questioned, with some major companies rerouting ships around Africa to avoid the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of a 10-country force, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain, and Bahrain. The mission will be coordinated by Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153), an existing force aimed at improving maritime security in the area.

As the situation unfolds, markets express skepticism about the task force’s effectiveness, underscoring the challenges of maintaining maritime security in the face of Houthi threats. The potential for further escalation and the geopolitical complexity of the Middle East add uncertainties to this evolving situation.