WASHINGTON — More than 20 countries joined the coalition led by USA to protect maritime shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthi rebels of Yemen, the Pentagon reported Thursday.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, They have repeatedly carried out attacks on ships in the vital sea route, attacks that the rebels say they are carrying out in support of Hamas in Gaza, where Israel is fighting the terrorist group after the deadly attack against Israel on October 7.
“We have more than 20 nations signed up to participate” in the coalition, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.
Ryder said the Houthis are “attacking the well-being of the economy and prosperity of nations around the world” in effect becoming “bandits along the international route that is the Red Sea.”
Coalition forces “will serve as a kind of highway patrol, monitoring the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to respond – and assist if needed – to commercial vessels transiting this vital international shipping lane,” he said, urging the Houthis to cease their attacks.
The latest escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas began when the terrorist group carried out a bloody attack on October 7 that killed about 1,140 people in Israel, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
Seeking the destruction of Hamas, Israel began an incessant bombing of targets in Gaza, along with a ground invasion of the Strip, which the Hamas terrorist group in that territory said Wednesday has caused the deaths of at least 20,000 people. figures not independently confirmed.
The United States announced an international coalition for the Red Sea on Monday, while the Houthis warned two days later that they would respond under attack.
Source: With information from AP
