The USA asked Australia to send a warship to the Red Sea against the Houthis.
The USA requested Australia to send a warship to the Red Sea against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who announced that they would block ships passing through the Red Sea until Israel’s attacks on Gaza end.
According to ABC News, the US Navy’s request came a day after Australia voted “yes” on the resolution calling for a humanitarian pause in Gaza, which was approved by the United Nations General Assembly.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said that the government was considering the request, but his country’s focus was on naval power activities “in its immediate region”.
Additionally, according to 9News, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated that the Royal Navy has maintained a long-standing presence in the Middle East as part of international efforts to maintain maritime security.
“We are already contributing to the international coalition in this part of the world,” Chalmers said. said.
Pentagon Spokesperson Pat Ryder said at a press conference yesterday that the international community should support a task force that will protect ships in the Red Sea.
Evaluating the targeting of a Norwegian-flagged oil ship off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, Ryder described the action in question as “destabilizing” and said, “This is an international problem and requires an international solution.” He used the expression.
Houthis target Israeli ships in the Red Sea
Abdulmelik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis in Yemen, threatened in his television speech on November 14 that they could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea.
Yahya Seri, the military spokesman of the Houthis, announced in a written statement on his X social media account on November 19 that they would target any Israeli-flagged ship in response to Israel’s attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Then, the Houthis launched a UAV and missile attack on two Israeli ships named “Unity Explorer” and “Number Nine” in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Israeli shipping company ZIM also stated in a statement on November 29 that its ships would not use the Suez Canal in Egypt, citing the security situation in the Oman Sea and the Red Sea.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on the X social media platform on December 4 that 4 attacks were carried out on 3 commercial ships in international territorial waters in the south of the Red Sea.
It was stated in the statement that the destroyer “USS Carney” of the US Navy in the south of the Red Sea responded to the call for help from commercial ships, and that the destroyer shot down 3 UAVs that were advancing towards it while helping the ships.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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