Australia's defence force chief will join a virtual meeting hosted by US officials as Washington mounts a new operation to combat rebels attacking ships in the Red Sea.
General Angus Campbell will represent Australia late Tuesday night after a US request for a warship, in response to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen enforcing a blockade on ships as a show of support for Palestine.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin set up Operation Prosperity Guardian with the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.