Singapore, Sri Lanka to join US-led Red Sea operation

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Singapore and Sri Lanka will join the US-led Red Sea operation amid attacks on cargo ships by Yemen’s Houthi group.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry of Singapore said it will participate in the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to counter the Houthi attacks and secure maritime passage in the Red Sea.

“This is part of efforts to ensure the freedom of navigation in this key global sea line of communication,” said the statement.

Singapore is not deploying any vessel but will contribute personnel for information sharing and planning led by a national representative.

Houthis have targeted vessels in the southern Red Sea, warning it will attack all Israel-bound ships. It says the attacks are to support Palestinians as they face Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

Sri Lanka is also joining the US-led operation, though it has triggered criticism against the government as the island nation is still facing the impact of bankruptcy.

Navy Capt. Wickramasuriya told NewsWire that the maritime force will deploy its ship “to protect the international waters covering the Red Sea, Arabic Sea, Gulf of Aden, and adjacent sea lanes used by merchant vessels.”

“The Sri Lanka Navy warship is being deployed as per the presidential order, but an exact date of deployment is yet to be confirmed,” he added.

However, the announcement triggered debate in the parliament where the opposition questioned what benefit would it bring to Sri Lanka from engaging in operations against the Houthis.

Lawmaker Sajith Premadasa said the deployment of a naval ship will cost SR 250 million ($775,270) to a debt-ridden nation.

“If Sri Lanka has made any such agreements to sort out its debt to foreign nations,” Premadasa asked.

Asserting that such a move was “not related to the USA or Israel,” Defense Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said: “If Sri Lanka’s merchant vessels avoided the Red Sea and used the South African coast, it would result in a severe increase in the prices of goods.”

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently announced the creation of a multinational mission to counter attacks by the Houthis in the wake of Israel’s war on besieged Gaza.

Earlier, India and Pakistan said they had deployed their naval arsenal to ensure maritime security in the Arabian Sea, although the South Asian rivals did not join the US-led operations.

However, Australia refused Washington’s call to send its warship to the Red Sea against Houthis with Canberra only agreeing to increase its deployment of soldiers.