From the Liveblog of
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Pentagon chief to reportedly declare new maritime protection force for Red Sea
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will announce a new maritime protection force during his visit to the Middle East, according to British newspaper the Guardian, after repeated attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on commercial ships traversing the Red Sea.
The report says the naval task force will initially be called Operation Prosperity Guardian and work to ensure the Red Sea is safe for shipping.
The expected mission will be modeled on a joint US-led maritime force based in Bahrain, where Austin touched down this evening. He is also due to visit Israel and Qatar while in the region.
Wheels down in Manama ???????? for visits this week with Israel, Bahrain, and Qatar. I’ll also spend time with some of our U.S. military members in the region to thank them for their service to our nation. pic.twitter.com/knXCUK4o8U
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 17, 2023
