India Deploys Two Guided-Missile Destroyers For Maritime Security In Northern Arabian Sea, Here's All About It

While the United States has introduced a multinational naval force to safeguard merchant vessels in the Red Sea from Iranian-backed Houthi militia, India has deployed two guided-missile destroyers off the coast of Aden to enhance maritime security in the northern Arabian Sea, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Although the government has not officially disclosed details about this deployment, the Indian Navy destroyer INS Kochi is actively involved in protecting merchant vessels from Somalian pirates at the entrance of the Red Sea.

Additionally, India has dispatched another guided-missile stealth destroyer, INS Kolkata, to strengthen maritime security off the coast of Aden.

On Monday (18 December), the United States announced Operation Prosperity Guardian to shield sea traffic in the Red Sea from ballistic missile and drone attacks launched by Shia Houthi groups in Yemen.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia, engaged in conflict with the Yemeni government, is supported by terrorist groups like Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Islamic State, and Ansar Al-Sharia.

It has transformed into a quasi-state actor with an arsenal that includes helicopters, ballistic missiles, and missile-firing drones.

Stationed in south Yemen near the Bab el-Mandab Red Sea chokepoint, the Houthis are targeting commercial vessels to pressure the international community into halting Israel's military operations in Gaza.

While the Houthis pose a threat to merchant shipping in the Red Sea, Islamist Somali pirates further complicate the situation by hijacking merchant tankers for substantial ransom payments.