Reuters: US allies reluctant on Red Sea force amid Gaza fury
The United States announced the launch of a new international maritime force in response to Yemen's Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping.
But just over a week after the launch, many U.S. allies don't want to be associated with it publicly, or at all.
The Pentagon says 20 countries have signed up for the the defensive coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian.
It aims to ensure billions of dollars' worth of commerce can flow freely through a vital shipping chokepoint in the Red Sea, as the Houthis try to inflict an international cost over Israel's campaign in Gaza.
But nearly half of those countries have so far not come forward to acknowledge their contributions, or allowed the U.S. to do so.
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Update #1: Operation Prosperity Guardian tussles with internal strife amid Spain, Italy, and France’s conundrum (Republic World)
Update #2: US-led Red Sea task force in trouble as countries hesitate to join (Semafor)
Update #3: The ‘Gulf’ widens as GCC states differ on US strategy against Yemen (The Cradle)
WNU Editor: The Germans and its European Union partners are trying to cobble something together .... Germany in Talks With EU Partners on Red Sea Maritime Mission (Reuters).