UAE Proposal Seeks to Safeguard Israel’s Interests in the Red Sea
Diplomatic sources have revealed a proposal by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aimed at securing Israel’s interests in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthi militia, amid the group’s continued solidarity with Gaza.
According to the sources, the UAE presented the proposal to the United States, which calls for the creation of a broad military coalition to ensure the safety of international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This move comes as the Houthi attacks have persisted for nearly a year.
An informed source based in Washington told “Arabi 21” that Abu Dhabi’s plan involves forming a military coalition to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea and secure international maritime routes, particularly through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, from Houthi attacks.
The UAE’s proposal also includes integrating the “Prosperity Shield” coalition, launched by the U.S. in late 2023, into an Arab alliance to counter the repeated Houthi assaults on commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The same sources noted that the UAE’s objective behind this new coalition is to protect its economic interests, which have been adversely affected by the ongoing attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.
Although the UAE previously rejected joining the U.S.-led “Operation Prosperity Guardian” in December 2023, it is now pushing for Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the new coalition, despite the kingdom distancing itself from participation in the U.S. effort. Saudi Arabia has sought to maintain a ceasefire with the Houthis and avoid further involvement in the Yemeni conflict, while also striving to enhance its own economic position in the region.
In December 2023, the United States announced the formation of the “Operation Prosperity Guardian “, aimed at protecting Red Sea shipping lanes from Houthi attacks. The coalition is a multinational force under the umbrella of the U.S.-led “Combined Maritime Forces,” specifically the “Task Force 153,” which tackles illegal activities in the Red Sea, such as piracy and drug trafficking, while ensuring the freedom of navigation.
The Houthis, in solidarity with Gaza during the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, have targeted Israeli or Israeli-linked shipping vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas with rockets and drones since October 2023.
Since January 12, 2024, a U.S.-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, in retaliation for the maritime attacks, which have been met with periodic responses from the militia.
In response to the Houthi attacks, the UAE has stepped up its support for Israel by facilitating new land-based trade routes, bypassing the Red Sea blockade. The UAE and Israel have also signed agreements to operate a land bridge between the ports of Dubai and Haifa, passing through Saudi and Jordanian territories, to mitigate the threat posed by the Houthi-controlled waters.
