Cracks form in NATO as US claims over 20 nations onboard for anti-Yemen coalition
Doubts remain about NATO member Spain's involvement in the Red Sea coalition, as the new leftist government did not take kindly to the launch of 'Operation Prosperity Guardian'
Over 20 countries have agreed to join Washington’s naval taskforce against Yemen, the Pentagon revealed on 21 December.
"We've had over 20 nations now sign on to participate,” Pentagon Press Secretary Major-General Pat Ryder announced Thursday. “We'll allow other countries, defer to them to talk about their participation.”
Ryder referred to the taskforce as a "coalition of the willing," adding that “each country will contribute what they can.” "In some cases that will include vessels. In other cases, it could include staff or other types of support."
Greece and Australia are the latest additions to this naval taskforce, which was launched officially this week under the name “Operation Prosperity Guardian.”
As both Canberra and Athens confirmed their entry, Reuters reports that at least eight other countries have requested anonymity “in a sign of political sensitivities of the operation.”
Upon launching the taskforce, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Operation Prosperity Guardian would have the military support of Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.
However, the full involvement of some of Washington's NATO partners remains in doubt, particularly Spain, as official announcements about Madrid's involvement have seesawed over the past week.
On 19 December, Spanish officials confirmed support for protecting Israeli-linked vessels transiting the Red Sea as part of their participation in “Operation Atalanta,” the new name for the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – a counter-piracy military operation off the Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean.
This was also confirmed by the current commander of Operation Atalanta, Spanish Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, who took to social media to express support for Prosperity Guardian in a message now deleted.
Despite the initial confirmation, local reports on 20 December cited military sources as saying Madrid had made no decision about mobilizing any more ships near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The only ship committed to the new US-led alliance was described as the frigate Victoria, which had been providing support for a Bulgarian cargo vessel taken by pirates a week ago.
Backing these reports, on Wednesday, a top branch of the Spanish armed forces said via social media that Madrid's decision for their “possible participation” in Prosperity Guardian would be made after “taking into account all circumstances […] within the EU framework.”
Complicating matters, on Thursday, Europa Press reported that the Spanish mission to the EU “blocked” Brussel's decision to “contribute” to Washington's naval operation.
The Madrid-based outlet cited “political reasons” for the rejection, describing the “no” to EU foreign affairs head Josep Borrell as “harsh and political.” Nonetheless, EU officials told reporters that the Red Sea mission “will not change.”
“Atalanta would not be part of the US operation, but, naturally, both missions will pursue a similar objective, which would benefit everyone,” EU sources told Europa Press.
Spain's sudden turnaround is reportedly linked to discontent within the Congress of Deputies – led by the Socialist Workers' Party – about the announcement by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Madrid would take part in the pro-Israel alliance.
Other EU nations have also shown different levels of wariness about backing US military actions against Yemen, as many recognize the threat of further escalating tensions with groups acting in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
The UK offered to deploy its HMS Diamond destroyer, while nations like the Netherlands and Norway confirmed that only naval officers would participate in Prosperity Guardian.
Italy’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that one of its frigates would join the western alliance “to counter the terrorist destabilization activity of [Ansarallah]." However, Rome confirmed this would be considered part of an existing EU naval operation, not Prosperity Guardian.
The French Defense Ministry also announced support for the US-led efforts but clarified that its ships would remain under French command. Paris did not confirm whether or not it would deploy more vessels to the region.
The Pentagon's brittle alliance also faces pushback in the Arab world, as among Washington's Gulf partners, only Bahrain has been publicly named as a participant.
The Ansarallah-linked government in Sanaa recently threatened to strike all Saudi and Emirati oilfields if Riyadh and Abu Dhabi decided to take part in the pro-Israel alliance.
Nonetheless, the US has been pushing for Saudi Arabia to abandon a ready-to-gopeace deal with Yemen, which has been in the works for the past 18 months.
Arabic media reports claim Washington is putting pressure on the kingdom to postpone the agreement and confront Yemen as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. However, Saudi Arabia is said to be “reluctant” to do so.
The Guardian reported on 17 December that the UAE was among several other Arab states that the Pentagon believes will join the task force.