Egyptian Frigate FFG91 "Alexandria" will participate in securing commercial convoys (Egyptian vessels) in the south of the Red Sea. However - contrary to any rumors or popular reports that may surface, the Egyptian Navy clarifies that it is an individual effort and it will not involve itself with Operation Prosperity Guardian or any other shenanigans. Currently - there are only two countries in the world that are independently securing their own merchant vessels and shipping without coordination of the United States - China & now the Arab Republic of Egypt.

It appears that while some US-flagged merchant ships reversed course - ARC Liberty and Maersk Chicago - and others are still heading for the Suez to head south; some are holding their positions - Maersk Kensington & Green Bay - while they await for escorts to be established. 🔶️ In the meantime, the French-owned Malta-flagged CMA CGM Aqaba just ran (Dec 20/21) the Bab el-Mandeb [BAM] into the Gulf of Aden. CMA CGM Pegasus (w/armed guards aboard) just departed Djibouti after sailing through the BAM on Dec 18 and is showing a destination of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea (but she may be heading to Asia). 🔶️ The French-owned CMA CGM Washington (Malta-flagged 14,360 TEU) and APL Salalah (Singapore-flagged 10,800 TEU and owned by CMA CGM) are the only containerships over 8000 TEU heading for the BAM in the Indian Ocean and will probably pick up an escort to run past Yemen. 🔶️ It appears that the French Navy is using the frigate Languedoc to escort their ships through the waters around Yemen and avoid the Houthi. 🔶️ It appears that France is withdrawing from Op Prosperity Guardian and will be conducting their own escort operation. 🔶️ The question is why the @USNavy @US5thFleet has not yet escorted Maersk Kensington through the BAM, as the ship has been sitting in the Red Sea for a week (since Dec 15), or Green Bay (since Dec 17) in the Gulf of Aden? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HObhQdNXq2U

U.S. Navy deploys missile destroyer Laboon to Middle East The U.S. Navy missile destroyer Laboon has been deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure security in the Middle East, the US Central Command said. "USS Laboon transits the Suez Canal, December 18. Laboon is deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region," the command said on X (formerly Twitter). On December 15, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered extending the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea for a few more days. According to the Associated Press, the defense secretary's decision was driven by instability in the region that was caused by Israel's war in Gaza. This is the third time the aircraft carrier’s deployment in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea has been extended, the AP said. The Washington Post reported that US forces in the Middle East have been subjected to at least 76 attacks by militants since October 17 amid the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

U.S. Senator: "If Washington does not intervene in the situation in the Red Sea, sooner or later Americans will begin to die from Houthi shelling" The situation in the Red Sea in connection with the shelling of civilian ships by the Yemeni Houthis from the Ansar Allah movement poses risks for American citizens. Republican Senator from Arkansas Tom Cotton made this statement on Fox News. The TV channel host stressed that the U.S. military in a relatively short time can force the Yemeni Houthis to abandon the practice of constant attacks on civilian ships. However, for some reason the US authorities are not addressing this issue. Senator Cotton responded by adding that US firepower is quite capable of solving the problem that has arisen in the Red Sea. "If Washington does not intervene in the situation in the Red Sea, Americans will sooner or later begin to die from Houthi shelling," Sen. Cotton is convinced.