Denmark has announced its decision to send a frigate to participate in the U.S.-led Red Sea operation next month, aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping from potential attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The move comes as part of a coalition of several nations, led by the United States, which agreed on December 19 to patrol the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Expressing concern over the ongoing attacks against civilian shipping in the Red Sea, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated, “We are concerned about the serious situation unfolding in the Red Sea, where unprovoked attacks against civilian shipping continue.”
Denmark will present a resolution to parliament in January seeking approval for its contribution to the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian. The frigate is expected to be deployable from the end of January. Operation Prosperity Guardian, characterized by the U.S. as a defensive coalition comprising more than 20 nations, aims to ensure the smooth flow of commerce through a vital shipping chokepoint in Red Sea waters off Yemen.
In a proactive response to the escalating situation, Denmark had previously committed to joining the U.S.-led task force on December 20, initially sending one officer. The Nordic nation had already stationed two officers in the area as part of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces, dedicated to protecting shipping lanes in the Red Sea region.
As nations collaborate to address security concerns and protect vital maritime routes, Denmark’s contribution underscores the collective commitment to maintaining stability and safeguarding international trade in the strategically significant Red Sea region.
