Hommam Al Nassim 
The Pentagon has stated that more than 20 countries have joined the US-led coalition to protect navigation in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks in Yemen.
On Monday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the formation of an international coalition to counter Houthi attacks on ships “linked” to Israel in the Red Sea.
Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that “we have more than 20 signatory countries to participate” in the coalition.
The Houthis are “attacking the economic prosperity and prosperity of countries around the world,” Ryder said, describing them as having turned into “bandits” on the Red Sea shipping line.
Coalition forces “will patrol the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to respond and provide assistance when necessary to commercial vessels transiting this vital international waterway,” Ryder said, calling on the Houthis to halt their attacks.
Following the announcement of the birth of this coalition, the Houthis vowed to continue their operations, warning that “any country” that moves against them will have its ships targeted in the Red Sea.
Since the Houthi attacks began, and with rising insurance costs, major shipping companies such as Denmark’s Maersk, Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd, France’s CMA CGM and Britain’s BP have suspended the passage of their ships through the Bab al-Mandab Strait until safe navigation is ensured.