Jerusalem (QNN) - The United States Department of Defense has announced the formation of a multinational force in the Red Sea to counteract attacks by Yemen's Houthi forces on ships bound for the occupying state of Israel. The coalition, led by the U.S., includes the UK, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain, and notably, Bahrain—the sole Arab nation participating in the alliance. According to the Pentagon, the coalition nations will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Secretary of Defense Austin emphasized the diverse nature of the participating countries in this joint operation. The New York Times reported that no regional naval force has agreed to contribute, with Bahrain being the only Middle Eastern nation involved, amidst notable silence from regional capitals. It is worth mentioning that Bahrain normalized relations with the Israeli occupation in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, facilitated by the United States. Meanwhile, Spain has refuted claims of its involvement in the U.S.-declared alliance in the Red Sea to counter right-wing militia attacks on ships heading to the occupied territories. Spain clarified that it cannot participate without authorization from its parliament, NATO, or the European Union—a prerequisite that has not been met.