The Latest Breaking News from Red Sea

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Tuesday they would not halt attacks on Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Gaza despite the announcement by the United States of a new maritime protection force.

France has joined a US-led international force to protect ships transiting the Red Sea that have come under attack by drones and ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Attacks from the Houthis on shipping vessels have increased in response to the war in Gaza, with BP halting all shipments of oil and gas through the region

It's Day 74 of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and tensions continue to escalate near Israel's border with Lebanon, even as Israeli troops sweep through the Gaza Strip to eliminate Hamas. Over in the Red Sea, a U.S.-backed expanded maritime protection force has been announced amid continuing Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels.

The US and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect ships transiting the Red Sea that have come under attack by drones and ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced early Tuesday in Bahrain.

The United States on Monday announced a 10-nation coalition to quell Huthi missile and drone attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea, with Britain, France, Bahrain and Italy among countries joining the "multinational security initiative."

The rising Houthi attacks disrupt Red Sea shipping operations causing concerns about potentially higher oil and gas prices amidst the holiday season.

The U.S. and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect ships transiting the Red Sea that have come under attack by drones and ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen

As Iranian-backed Houthi rebels target commercial ships, oil giants halt Red Sea shipments, causing economic repercussions. Allies seek united response.