As attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels escalate, the United States is considering increasing cooperation with allies in the region.
“We are currently in discussions with other countries about a type of maritime task force that would include ships from partner countries other than the United States to ensure safe passage of ships in the Red Sea,” US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser said. , Jake Sullivan, yesterday in Washington. Negotiations are still ongoing and nothing concrete has been announced yet.
Sullivan pointed to other transnational maritime organizations in the Gulf of Oman and off the coast of Somalia in relation to piracy.
More serious Houthi attacks
In recent days, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. One of the world’s most important shipping lanes runs along the coast of Yemen to the Suez Canal in Egypt.
The canal connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, providing the shortest sea route from Asia to Europe. About ten percent of world trade passes through the Red Sea.
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