Britain and Italy Join US-Led International Operations to Counter Houthi Attacks

Britain has agreed to send a Royal Navy ship to an international operation led by the United States to protect the free flow of trade in the Red Sea. Earlier, the US Secretary of Defense announced the formation of a new naval force to protect vessels passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in response to Houthi attacks from Yemen. The UK Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday, December 19, that the HMS Diamond had shot down a suspicious drone in the Red Sea earlier that week. Britain has also warned about the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea, emphasizing that ballistic missile and drone attacks pose an 'increasing threat.' The UK stated that this international group, in addition to the HMS Diamond, includes three American destroyers and a French warship in the region. A spokesperson for the British Prime Minister stated that this international task force will have significant capacity to prevent future attacks and protect commercial shipping. He added that there are no plans to send more British naval ships to the region, but this matter will be reviewed. The Italian Ministry of Defense also announced on Tuesday, December 19, that the country's navy will send one of its corvettes 'in the coming hours' to help protect the shipping route in the Red Sea against Houthi militia attacks. Guido Crosetto, the Italian Defense Minister, stated after a call with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that his country, along with the international community, will participate in countering the destabilizing activities of the Houthis. A source in the Italian Ministry of Defense told Reuters that the 'Virginio Fasan' ship will head towards the Red Sea. Crosetto stated that to create stability, prevent environmental disasters, and avoid inflationary pressures, military presence in the region needs to be increased. The Houthis have intensified their attacks following Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip to counter Hamas, forcing major oil and shipping companies to avoid the area. This situation increases transportation costs and threatens the global economy. The Houthis, who control a large part of northern Yemen, have been launching attacks against vessels in the region since the onset of the Israel-led war against Hamas on October 7. They have threatened all ships belonging to Israel and any vessel heading towards Israeli ports. The United States has not yet attacked the Houthis, who are supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, nor targeted any of their weapons or sites. On Monday, December 18, the US Defense Secretary did not respond to the question of why the Pentagon has not conducted retaliatory strikes. Austin stated that the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea require a 'decisive international response.' The Houthis' actions are creating costs for Israel and shipping companies; an international alliance is needed to ensure the security of the Red Sea. Two other shipping companies have refrained from transiting the Suez Canal and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait; Houthi attacks have made the Red Sea unsafe. Britain shot down an attacking drone in the skies over the Red Sea. Houthi missile attacks targeted a ship in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Two missiles were fired at a tanker in the Red Sea from Houthi-controlled territory.