Sri Lanka announced that they will join the international mission established under the leadership of the USA against the Houthis’ attacks on commercial ships in Yemen.
Sri Lankan Navy Spokesperson Colonel Gayan Wickramasuriya stated in his written statement that they will participate in the US-led mission against the Houthis in the Red Sea.
Wickramasuriya stated that it is not yet clear when Sri Lanka will send ships to the region for patrols.
Sri Lankan Deputy Defense Minister Pramitha Tennakoon also said that the government wants to fulfill its “global responsibilities”.
Tennakoon pointed out that Sri Lanka is against all forms of terrorism.
Pointing out that the country’s ships already participate in patrol activities in the Indian Ocean, Tennakoon argued that there is no additional cost for participating in this mission.
The opposition reacts to the decision
On the other hand, the decision attracted the reaction of the opposition in Sri Lanka.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa claimed that the government spent around 777 thousand dollars to send ships to the Red Sea while the people of the country were experiencing serious economic difficulties.
What happened in the Red Sea
Following the recent actions of the Houthis in Yemen against commercial ships in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, many shipping companies decided to stop their voyages in the Red Sea.
On December 6, 2023, the Pentagon announced that they were negotiating to establish an international “Maritime Task Force” against the attacks of the Houthi forces in Yemen against commercial ships in the Red Sea, and on December 18, it announced the establishment of a multinational mission called “Operation Welfare Guardian”.
While the attacks of the Houthis endanger the passage through the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, offering the shortest route between Europe and Asia, and through which approximately 12 percent of global trade is carried out, the attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the successive decisions taken by companies are affecting the global economy. It increased concerns that a new “supply chain crisis” would begin in the economy.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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