OPERATION PROSPERITY GUARDIAN – DEFENCE & SECURITY
News: U.S. launches
multinational security initiative ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’
What’s in the news?
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U.S. launches multinational
security initiative to protect Red Sea from Houthi strikes.
Countries Involved:
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The U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy,
Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.
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These nations will conduct joint patrols in the southern
Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Significance:
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About 12% of global
shipping traffic through the Suez Canal is affected by the unrest.
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Shipping firms are diverting routes, leading to increased
costs and delays.
Go back to basics:
About Houthis:
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The Houthis are a large
Zaidi Shia clan that began a movement against the dictatorship of Ali
Abdullah Saleh in the 1990s.
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The Houthis are backed
by Iran and control territory in the west and northwest of Yemen, including
the capital Sana’a.
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They are fighting against the Sunni-led internationally recognized
Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.