PARIS: In response to recent threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Danish air-defense frigate Iver Huitfeldt is en route to the Suez Canal, preparing to join international efforts aimed at securing maritime traffic in the area. This move comes shortly after a commercial tanker suffered a missile attack by the Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden.
Denmark’s Ministry of Defense announced that the Iver Huitfeldt is set to participate in the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, pending final parliamentary approval expected on February 6th. This announcement follows the deployment of a French frigate to the region eight days earlier and Belgium’s commitment to send the frigate Louise-Marie as part of a developing European Union mission aimed at protecting shipping lanes.
These naval deployments are a direct response to the increased missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels against vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The presence of major container shipping companies in Denmark and France, such as A.P. Møller-Mærsk and CMA CGM, underscores the significance of this maritime security effort for both nations.
Denmark’s Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, expressed the nation’s vested interest in maritime security, emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding international shipping lanes from Houthi attacks. These incidents pose a substantial threat not only to commercial interests but also to the stability and security of international waters.
The Houthi rebels have threatened to target all vessels in the Red Sea associated with Israel, contributing to a notable decline in trade volume through the Suez Canal, a crucial conduit for global commerce. Recent estimates from the UN Conference on Trade and Development indicate a 42% reduction in canal traffic over the past two months, with the Suez Canal facilitating up to 15% of the world’s trade in the previous year.
Further international collaboration was demonstrated earlier this month when the French frigate Alsace, alongside vessels from the U.S. and Indian navies, assisted in extinguishing a fire on the tanker Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden. The tanker, hit by a Houthi missile, was carrying naphtha at the time of the attack.
The multinational coalition’s efforts also include defending against drone attacks, as evidenced by the U.K. frigate HMS Diamond’s recent engagement with Houthi drones in the Red Sea. The collaboration allows for strategic operational flexibility, including the resupply of ordnance in regional ports, as highlighted by Adm. Sir Ben Key at the Paris Naval Conference.
Additionally, the U.S. Navy is exploring innovative approaches to resupply at sea, with experiments planned for the near future to enhance the logistical capabilities of coalition forces operating in the region.
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