More than 20 countries now part of US-led Red Sea coalition: Pentagon

“We’ll allow other countries, defer to them to talk about their participation.”

Red Sea attacks: US weighs striking Houthi rebels in Yemen

Each country will contribute what they can, Ryder said, dubbing it a “coalition of the willing.”

“In some cases that will include vessels. In other cases, it could include staff or other types of support,” he told a news briefing.

The war began on October 7 when Hamas fighters stormed across the Gaza border into southern Israel, where Israeli authorities say the militants killed about 1,200 mostly civilian Israelis and foreigners.

US announces 10-nation task force to counter Red Sea attacks

Israel’s retaliatory bombardment and invasion of Gaza, which Israeli officials state is aimed at wiping out Hamas, has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the densely populated, coastal enclave.

The attacks have disrupted a key trade route that links Europe and North America with Asia via the Suez Canal and caused container shipping costs to rise sharply as companies seek to ship their goods via alternative, often longer, routes.

The US Navy, British and French navies have responded by shooting down Houthi drones and missiles, defensive actions that some critics in Washington say do not go far enough to discourage the Houthis from continuing their attacks.