U.S. launches Operation Prosperity Guardian in Red Sea

The U.S. Department of Defense announces Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative to counter Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The operation involves 10 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain. The initiative is established in response to escalating Houthi drone and missile attacks on merchant vessels since the October 2023 outbreak of war in Gaza. The operation aims to ensure freedom of navigation for all countries and bolster regional security. Several major shipping companies immediately begin rerouting vessels away from the Red Sea due to security concerns.