US and Allies Discuss Possible New Naval Task Force to Protect Commercial Shipping in the Red Sea

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The United States is in talks with allies about the possibility of creating a naval task force to escort commercial ships in the Red Sea after Houthi Islamic jihadist militants in Yemen fired ballistic missiles at three vessels in the region on Sunday, the Associated Press reports.

Sunday’s incidents were the latest in a series of missile attacks launched by the Houthis since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7. Supported by Iran, which the US has described as the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, the Houthis are a Shia Islamist political and military organization that came out of the Saada Governorate of Yemen in the 1990s.

In a statement, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the discussions about a new naval task force are a “natural response” to the Houthi attacks on commercial ships, AP reports. Within the shooting range of the Houthis in Yemen, the Red Sea and the narrow straits of the Bab al-Mandab comprise one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Vessels sailing through this area carry oil and natural gas from the Gulf to Europe, the United States and China.

“We are in talks with other countries about a maritime task force of sorts involving the ships from partner nations alongside the United States in ensuring safe passage,” Sullivan told reporters. Sullivan noted that similar task forces have been established to escort commercial ships in other volatile places, including off the coast of Somalia, AP reports.

Sullivan added that while the Houthis had “their finger on the trigger,” Iran is behind their activity, AP reports. “The weapons here are being supplied by Iran,” Sullivan said. “Iran, we believe, is the ultimate party responsible for this.”

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