Strengthening Task Force to Safeguard Red Sea from Houthi Attacks
The Biden administration should expand the existing Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) to form a larger international effort in protecting commercial vessels and intercepting Iranian weapons smuggling to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The recent missile attacks on three commercial vessels in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis highlight the need for a multilateral solution to safeguard maritime security and ensure the unimpeded flow of commerce through this vital maritime chokepoint. By leveraging the existing CTF 153, which already includes 15 member nations, and involving countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and G-7 nations, a strong message can be sent to the Houthis and Iran that attacks on commercial vessels will not be tolerated. Additionally, efforts should be made to interdict arms smuggling to Yemen to prevent further attacks.