Yemeni Crisis

Houthi rebels from Yemen launched 18 drones over the southern Red Sea, according to US military's Central Command (CENTCOM), marking the armed group's 26th attack on international trade channels in the previous seven weeks, reported Al Jazeera.

CENTCOM said that two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile were also downed.

American and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles Tuesday that were launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels toward international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the U.S. military said.

They cited four knowledgeable officials who asked to remain anonymous.
The portal says that some officials in Washington believe that the war in Gaza has escalated far beyond the borders of the Strip, a scenario that the US has been trying to avoid for months.

On Wednesday the US and a host of international allies warned that Iran-backed Houthi militants will face "consequences" if they continue to "threaten lives" and disrupt trade in the Red Sea. Earlier this week, what's become an increasingly volatile crisis gained a new dimension as Iran sent a warship to the region, escalating tensions.

Britain, the United States and 10 other countries have warned Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to stop their "highly destabilizing attacks in the Red Sea or face the consequences" after tensions in the region spiked, "The Times" reported.

Twelve nations led by the United States on Wednesday jointly warned Yemen's Huthi rebels of unspecified consequences unless they immediately halt sea attacks that are increasingly disrupting global commerce.

The U.S. military said Sunday it shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired toward a container ship by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Hours later, four boats tried to attack the same ship, but U.S. forces opened fire, killing several of the armed crews, the U.S. Central Command said. No one was injured on the ship.

The United States said on Tuesday said that it had shot down twelve attack drones and five missiles, which it claimed were launched by the Iran-backed Houthis.

There was no damage to ships in the area or injuries reported, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

Spain said on Sunday that it would not join a U.S. led coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by Yemen's Huthi rebels.

The Iran-backed Huthis have carried out several strikes on Red Sea shipping in what they say is in support of Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Yemen's internationally recognised government has welcomed U.N.-led efforts to end the country's civil war after the warring parties committed to take steps towards a ceasefire.