DUBAI, Dec 19, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - The United States pushed Tuesday to build up

a multinational naval task force to protect a key global shipping lane from
Yemen's Huthi rebels, who pledged to keep up their attacks on cargo ships in
the Red Sea.

The Iran-backed Huthis say their missile and drone strikes on passing
container ships are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war raging between
Israel and militant group Hamas since October 7.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the "unprecedented" spate of
attacks in waters leading to the Suez Canal, a chokepoint for about 10
percent of global trade, that have forced many shipping companies to divert
their vessels.

The task force, which Austin first announced late Monday, would include
warships from the United States as well as Britain, Canada, France, Italy,
the Netherlands, Norway and other countries.

The Pentagon chief, in Qatar on Tuesday after an Israel visit, told a virtual
meeting with 43 countries, the EU and NATO that the attacks "threaten the
free flow of commerce".

He urged other nations "to join US-led and other international initiatives...
to restore security in the Red Sea to deter future Huthi aggression," the
Pentagon said.

The Huthis voiced defiance and pledged to continue the attacks in the Bab al-
Mandeb strait, a vital shipping lane between Asia and Europe.

"Even if America succeeds in mobilising the entire world, our military
operations will not stop... no matter the sacrifices it costs us," senior
Huthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said on X, formerly Twitter.

The Huthis will only halt attacks if Israel's "crimes in Gaza stop and food,
medicine and fuel are allowed to reach its besieged population," said
Bukhaiti.

Rebel spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam said the "US-formed coalition aims to
protect Israel and militarise the sea. Whoever seeks to expand the conflict
must bear the consequences of those actions."

- 'Threat to global economy' -

Britain said the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond had joined the US-led task
force, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian.

"These illegal attacks are an unacceptable threat to the global economy...
and are threatening to drive up fuel prices," said UK Defence Secretary Grant
Shapps.

Italy said it was sending the frigate Virgilio Fasan. And Spain said it would
potentially also join, subject to "the decisions of the European Union and
NATO".

The Huthi rebels have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks,
targeting 10 merchant vessels involving more than 35 different countries,
according to the Pentagon.

On Monday, the Huthis claimed attacks on two more vessels, including the
Norwegian-owned Swan Atlantic.

In November, the rebels seized the Galaxy Leader merchant vessel, taking its
25-member crew hostage. Both the vessel and crew remain in Yemen.

- 'Difficult to intercept' -

Insurance costs have soared, prompting major shipping firms to reroute their
vessels around the southern tip of Africa, despite the higher fuel costs of
much longer voyages.

Four of the world's biggest shipping companies -- CMA CGM Group, Hapag-Lloyd,
Maersk and MSC -- have diverted their vessels, as has oil giant BP, in a move
that sent up energy prices.

Denmark's Maersk on Tuesday said "all vessels previously paused and due to
sail through the region will now be rerouted around Africa via the Cape of
Good Hope".

Analysts however argue the maritime task force can do little to halt the
attacks by the Huthis, who command an arsenal of ballistic missiles, cruise
missiles and drones.

"The Huthis have an extended arsenal of different drones and missiles that
they can shoot... and some of them will be difficult to intercept by your
average navy ship," Andreas Krieg, a professor at King's College London, told
AFP.

Torbjorn Soltvedt of risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft said the
"threat to shipping is also further increased by the group's ability to
deploy anti-ship mines and execute coordinated operations using boats and
helicopters."