Yemen's Houthi rebel group attacked a number of merchant ships sailing in the Red Sea, claiming that it was Israel that attacked Gaza. Although the United States has called on many countries to carry out escorts and form escort alliances, the Houthis have said that we will continue to launch attacks without fear of any threat, possibly every 12 hours. In response to the call of the United States, the French Ministry of Defense said on the 19th that it would coordinate as much as possible, but stressed that the country's naval operations will continue to be commanded by the state.
Houthi spokesman Abdul Salam said the U.S.-formed multinational force militarized the Red Sea without justification, and said anyone who tries to expand the conflict must face consequences for their actions.
Salam stressed that the organization's stance on supporting the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza will not change until the siege of Gaza ends and food and medicine are accessed. And only Israeli ships, or ships heading to Israel, will be targeted.
The cargo ship Galaxy Leader was held hostage by Houthi members on November 19, 2023, and surrounded and held hostage by Houthi vessels in the Red Sea.
The British Maritime Security Company said on the 19th that it received information west of the Yemeni port city of Aden on the same day that there was an attempt to board the ship, but the attack was unsuccessful and all crew members were safe.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin announced on the 19th that the United States is forming a new multinational force to protect ships passing through the Red Sea from the threat of Houthi attacks. He noted that the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain will join the new U.S.-led mission, with some of them conducting joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while others will provide intelligence support.
Reuters said on December 19 that a number of shipping lines had suspended routes through the Red Sea. The German Ministry of Economy said that it is closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea, fearing that it may have an impact on **, which cannot be estimated for the time being.