Denmark is considering deploying one of its frigates to assist in “Operation Prosperity Guard” (OPG), a U.S.-led Red Sea maritime security mission, after initially showing reluctance to participate. The Danish Ministry of Defense announced that the Danish parliament had agreed to consider deploying a frigate to the Red Sea region. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed concern about the unprovoked attacks on civilian shipping in the area, and emphasized the need for maritime security for Danish and international ship traffic.
Houthi rebel movement in Yemen has launched a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, causing damage to several ships. The attacks even led to the suspension of shipment through the region by the Danish commercial shipping giant Maersk. In response, the U.S. launched Operation Prosperity Guard to counter the rising attacks, although some nations have been hesitant to contribute their warships, aircraft, and personnel to the U.S.-led effort.
Currently, Denmark has only assigned one staff officer to assist with Operation Prosperity Guardian. The Danish government is considering increasing its presence in the Combined Maritime Force by deploying a frigate, a move that would significantly bolster its contribution to both the Combined Maritime Force and Operation Prosperity Guard.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stressed the need for maritime security and expressed Denmark’s commitment to strengthening it by providing a frigate to the American-led coalition. In response to the Houthi attacks, Rasmussen reiterated the need to challenge the attacks on international shipping.
The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has been fighting with Yemen’s internationally recognized government since 2004. The conflict escalated after the Houthis took over the capital city of Sanaa in 2014. The recent attacks on shipping in the Red Sea coincide with the Houthi’s solidarity with the Palestinian group in Gaza. The United States has long suspected Iran of supporting the Houthis through weapons and funding, and the recent attacks have prompted the Biden administration to consider redesignating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department has announced new sanctions against a Yemeni financier and exchange houses in Yemen and Turkey, suspected of routing funding to the Houthis.