USA and UK thwart biggest Houthi attack in the Red Sea

Navies from the UK and US stopped a big attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea, according to the UK defence secretary.

The US military said that a group supported by Iran sent out 18 drones and three missiles on Tuesday night.

They were attacked and shot by jets from carriers and warships. No one got hurt or things broken.

The Houthis have not said anything, but they have attacked merchant ships because of the fighting in the Gaza Strip.

They have said, sometimes not true, that the ships were connected to Israel.

Houthis are not listening after being told not to attack the Red Sea.
What does attacks in the Red Sea mean for world trade.

The US military said that there have been 26 attacks since November 19th.

The US, UK, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan and 10 other countries are telling the Houthis to stop their attacks right away. They say the attacks are against the law and are a danger to ships passing through the important waterway, where 15% of the world’s trade goes through.

The allies have chosen not to attack areas in rebel-held north-west Yemen in response. However, the UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has warned that if the attacks keep happening, the Houthis will face the consequences.

“We will do what’s necessary to keep innocent people safe and protect the world’s economy,” he said.