By Al-Fassel | 2024-01-05

The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a multinational maritime partnership, and its Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 are set to increase their role in promoting security in the Red Sea and throughout the Middle East.

Established in 2001, the US-led CMF focuses on counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppression of piracy and encouragement of regional cooperation in the waters of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

It also engages with regional and international partners to strengthen relevant capabilities and promote a safe maritime environment free from illicit non-state actors.

The CMF includes 39 member nations: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Yemen.

The CMF does not require a specific level of participation from any member nation, which means the contribution from each country varies depending on its ability to contribute assets and the availability of those assets at any given time.

The CMF is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, alongside the US Fifth Fleet and is commanded by a US Navy admiral. A UK Royal Navy commodore serves as deputy commander.

It consists of five task forces: CTF 150 (Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf), CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy). CTF 152 (Maritime Security Operations inside the Arabian Gulf), CTF 153 (Red Sea Maritime Security) and CTF 154 (Maritime Security Training).

Leadership of each task force rotates among partner nations.

CTF 153, established in 2022, focuses on international maritime security and capacity building efforts in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.

Currently led by the US Navy, the task force staff includes US and international military personnel from CMF member-nations.

The task force is an at-sea command, supported by CMF staff ashore in Bahrain.

Typically, there are six to eight vessels from contributing countries operating in support of CTF 153, which has regularly interdicted illegal drugs and weapons in its area of operations.

For example, the USS Nitze, while operating in support of CTF 153, seized more than 2,500kg of illegal drugs worth an estimated $20 million from a fishing vessel in November 2022 in the Gulf of Aden.

Since 2021, the CMF has seized more than $1 billion in illegal drugs while patrolling waters across the Middle East.

Operation Prosperity Guardian

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at a Pentagon news conference on December 21 revealed more details about a new multinational maritime security initiative in the Red Sea announced earlier this month.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin on December 18 announced the initiative after Iran-backed Houthi rebels escalated attacks on tankers, cargo ships and other vessels in the Red Sea, imperiling a transit route that carries up to 12% of global trade.

The security initiative, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, is set "to address the challenges in the region and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," the Pentagon said in a statement.

The international forces are to operate under the umbrella of the CMF and the leadership of CTF 153, a US Navy-led initiative focused on maritime security in the Red Sea.

Since the initial announcement, more nations have signed on to participate, Ryder said.

"In the days ahead, the United States will continue to consult closely with our allies and partners who share the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, and we expect to see the coalition continue to grow," he said.

The operation is a global answer to an international issue and the United States will continue to "work with this coalition of the willing where countries will be able to contribute what they feel that they can," Ryder added.

The contributions from those taking part in the initiative range from military assets such as ships and aircraft to staff and other types of support.

"It's very important to understand that the Houthis aren't attacking just one country; they're really attacking the international community," Ryder said.

"They are attacking the economic well-being and prosperity of nations around the world. So in effect, they really become bandits along the international highway that is the Red Sea."

Ryder described the forces assigned to Operation Prosperity Guardian as a "highway patrol" in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden "to respond to and assist as necessary commercial vessels that are transiting this vital international waterway."

"It's a defensive coalition meant to reassure global shipping and mariners that the international community is there to help with safe passage."

"Countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by [the Houthis] launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters," Austin said in an earlier statement announcing the initiative.

"This is an international challenge that demands collective action," he said.