Pentagon Explores New Multi-National “Maritime Task Force” to Protect Red Sea From Houthis

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

The Pentagon is working with allies and discussing the possibility of establishing a special multi-national Maritime Task Force in the Red Sea and throughout the Middle East to secure waterways increasingly under attack by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“This is an international problem that requires an international solution. We do continue to consult closely with our international allies and partners on implementing a maritime task force,” Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters, according to a Pentagon transcript.

What might this look like? The success of US destroyers against Houthi missiles and drones may lead Pentagon decision-makers to consider increasing its presence in the Red Sea, given that Houthi attacks are not stopping and a wide range of US, allied and commercial vessels remain under constant threat of attack.

“We are continuing to take the situation in the Red Sea extremely seriously. The actions that we’ve seen from these Houthi forces are destabilizing, they’re dangerous, and clearly a flagrant violation of international law,” Ryder said.

A Maritime Task Force could simply be a way to expand or “formalize” the US warship presence in the area, something which makes sense given the accuracy with which US Navy warships have been tracking and destroying Houthi missiles and drones with various interceptor weapons and ship defenses. A Task Force may involve new allied partners with an interest in ensuring maritime stability in the Red Sea, as many countries have a key strategic and economic reason to secure the area. The Red Sea is vital to Europe as the Suez canal connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean offers the shortest and most efficient maritime route to Asia from Europe.

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