Two days after the US announced the establishment of the international force against the Houthi threat, the British newspaper "Financial Times" reported this evening (Wednesday) that the coalition plans to establish a "safe corridor" for commercial navigation in the Red Sea. However, American officials said that the plan is still in the early stages, and may change later.
According to the report, the plan is for NATO naval ships to provide protection to commercial ships passing through the safe corridor, protecting them from drone and missile attacks by the Houthis. In addition, at least 6 other allies will take part in the establishment of the maritime corridor.
It is estimated that about 10 percent of the world's maritime trade passes through the area where the corridor is planned to be. It was also said that the protected route will also include the Bab-el-Mandeb strait near Yemen, where most of the attacks on ships have taken place in recent weeks.
As mentioned, earlier this week American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of a global force against the Houthi threat that will ensure freedom of movement in the Red Sea. The new force will include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly face the security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the aim of ensuring freedom of movement for all countries and strengthening regional security and prosperity.
In a statement he published, it was stated that "the latest escalation in the reckless Houthi attacks threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent seafarers and violates international law. The Red Sea is a critical waterway that is essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade. Countries that strive to maintain the basic principle of freedom of navigation must unite to face the challenge."
"This is an international challenge that requires collective action," Austin said. "Accordingly, I am announcing today the establishment of a major multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and its leadership of Task Force 153, focused on security in the Red Sea.
