Spain and Italy opt out of US-led military initiative in Red Sea

Spain and Italy initially named as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) have opted out of the multinational military initiative. 

PHOTO: Ship transiting through the Suez Canal. Getty Images

The OPG initiative, announced by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last Tuesday, aims to address shipping security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It initially included participation from multiple countries such as the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.

However, Spain and Italy have decided not to participate in the US-led initiative to secure the Suez Canal maritime trade route.

Last week, the Spanish Ministry of Defence told local media that the county will not participate in the OPG. The Spanish daily El País reported that the Spanish government was allegedly “displeased” when Austin named Spain among the ten countries part of the OPG. 

Following the announcement, a government spokesperson denied Spain’s participation, saying that they would not take part in the OPG “unilaterally”. Furthermore, the Spanish Ministry of Defence clarified that it could only participate under the EU and NATO’s directions. 

Apart from this, countries such as Australia have refused to provide warships for the mission.

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles, who is also the Australian deputy prime minister, told Sky News Australia that they will not be providing any warships for the military endeavour. 

Marles posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), that six additional Australian Defence personnel will be sent as part of OPG.  

Besides, Italy has also intensified its independent strategic military operations in the Red Sea. Though initially named as part of the OPG countries, Italy has opted to launch warships under domestic governmental control and autonomous of the OPG. 

It seems that some of the countries initially named in the OPG alliance have expressed their unwillingness to be under the US command in the task force, Liner consultancy firm Vespucci Maritime’s chief executive Lars Jensen said in a social media post.

In the last two weeks, the Suez Canal route - which is the shortest way to connect Europe and Asia - has been attacked by the Houthi militia. This has caused shipping companies to withdraw their trade vessels and redirect them to the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.

By Manjula Nair  

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