Sri Lanka To Send Naval Ship To Red Sea For Protecting Ships From Houthi Attacks

According to Navy Media Spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya, a warship of the Sri Lankan Navy is prepared to leave to combat the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Yemen, in the fight to defend international maritime lanes. Per Captain Wickramasuriya, who spoke to NewsWire, the ship will be sent to guard the international waterways covering the Red Sea, Arabic Sea, and Gulf of Aden and adjacent lanes frequented by merchant vessels.

He added that although the precise date of the deployment has not yet been determined, the Sri Lanka Navy vessel is being sent by a presidential directive. Per Captain Wickramasuriya, as part of the ongoing naval action in the Red Sea and adjacent trade channels, Operation Prosperity Guardians will initially involve the deployment of a single ship. He stated that after talks, the vessel will be sent to any of the maritime channels that need to be protected from Houthi rebels, based on its capabilities.

In addition, Captain Wickramasuriya said that additional ship deployments or swaps would occur based on Sri Lanka’s present needs and economic circumstances after discussion on the subject. Claiming that there are no extra expenses for the warship’s deployment, he said the costs are operation-specific and similar to those incurred by Navy ships performing drug-prevention raids in Southern Sri Lanka’s international waters. To stop the Houthi Rebels from assaulting ships and obstructing trade via the maritime route, President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka declared last week that his country would be deploying a Navy vessel in the Red Sea.

The President stated that Sri Lanka will send a Navy warship to the Red Sea for Rs. 250 million every two weeks when he spoke at a ceremony in Colombo on Wednesday, January 3. The President noted that the ongoing conflicts, particularly those in Palestine and Ukraine, may cause prices of goods to rise. He added that because of the Houthi Rebels’ persistent attacks, ships have ceased using the Red Sea route, and the rerouting via South Africa will subsequently raise the prices of goods.

Foreign media reports that since December 19, the militants headquartered in Yemen have launched at least 23 strikes in retaliation for the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. There is currently a standoff in the strategically important southern Red Sea as the Houthis, whom Iran backs, have threatened to keep attacking vessels they consider to be associated with Israel.

About 15% of all trade flows through the Bab al-Mandab strait, making it a vital waterway. Supply chains could be harmed, fuel costs could increase if attacks persist.

Reference: newswire. Lk

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Source: Maritime Shipping News