Six New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed to uphold maritime security in the Red Sea.
Location: Middle East region
Personnel: Up to 6
The personnel, with specialist skills, provide support to coalition forces to carry out precision attacks on identified Houthi military targets.
They are based in operational headquarters, but do not go into Yemen.
As outlined by the New Zealand Government, recent Houthi rebel attacks on commercial ships are illegal, unacceptable and profoundly destabilising.
Freedom of navigation along trade routes is an integral part of New Zealand's national interests.
New Zealand and other countries have made repeated calls for the Houthis to stop attacks on shipping, and these warnings have not been heeded.
The deployment is mandated to conclude on 31 January 2025.