The Netherlands will take part in an international mission to protect shipping in the southern Red Sea from attacks by the Houthis, according to the US defence minister Lloyd Austin.

The “multinational security initiative”, named Operation Prosperity Guardian, aims to provide security to cargo shipping in the region, which has been coming under attack from the Islamic political group and militia operating out of Yemen.

Canada, Britain, France, Italy, Norway, Spain Bahrain and the Seychelles will also take part in the mission, Austin said. “This is an international challenge which requires collective action,” he told reporters.

The Dutch defence ministry has not yet confirmed that the Netherlands will support the mission. However, last week, the Dutch defence minister Kajsa Ollongren told television current affairs show WNL Op Zondag that talks were underway on the situation in the Red Sea and about protecting cargo ships.