France Withdraws Naval Support for Operation Prosperity Guardian in Red Sea
France has announced the withdrawal of its naval support from Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US-led coalition aimed at safeguarding against Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. The decision comes as a surprising move that could have significant implications for the stability of the region.
The announcement was made on Twitter by Jackson Hinkle, a prominent political commentator, who tweeted a photo depicting the withdrawal. The image shows French naval vessels leaving the area, highlighting the physical manifestation of France’s decision.
French Navy Escorts CMA CGM Ships While US Ships Remain Stranded
UPDATE: France has agreed to remain but under the condition they do not have to follow American orders. They declined to comment on deploying more naval forces. Spain and Italy both left.
Operation Prosperity Guardian, the pivotal US-led mission to secure vital merchant shipping lanes through the Red Sea, is facing another critical setback. gCaptain’s recent reports highlight a troubling trend: a glaring absence of key allies, notably including AUKUS member Australia, in this international initiative. Compounding the situation, the French Navy, a cornerstone of the coalition, has withdrawn support, possibly temporarily, to focus on helping French-owned ships. This decisive move comes as US leadership faces mounting criticism among US shipowners for leaving American sailors dangerously exposed within range of Houthi forces, without adequate protection.
To be clear it is uncertain if the French withdrawal from Operation Prosperity Guardian is permanent or just a temporary shift of priorities to national interests.
Captain has received reports, confirmed by Dr. Sal Mercogliano, that the French Navy has shifted their focus away from US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian after a representative allegedly stormed out of the operation’s first meeting with US officials. The French have begun escorting their own cargo ships, including the containerships CMA CGM Pegasus , CMA CGM George Washington and APL Salalah, through the Red Sea. At the heart of this unfolding drama is a critical question: which ships deserve protection? While the French have shown a clear intent to prioritize their own shipping interests, the US approach has left its own American-flagged ships stranded in the region, that have been – some for a full week – waiting for escort.