According to the US, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have once more attacked merchant ships in the Red Sea. The responsible US regional command announced on Tuesday evening (local time) that 18 drones and three missiles had been intercepted by US and British units.
The projectiles were fired from areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen into the southern Red Sea in the direction of international shipping routes containing dozens of merchant ships. No injuries or damage were reported. It was the 26th attack by the Houthis on commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea since November 19th.
In view of an increasing number of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by the Houthi rebels, the US military increased its cooperation with the armed forces of other countries in the region in mid-December. According to the US Department of Defense in Washington, several countries are taking part in the new security initiative called “Operation Prosperity Guardian”, including the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain.
Around ten percent of world trade passes through the Red Sea. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, providing the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe. The alternative route around the South African Cape of Good Hope extends the transport by a few days.
