US announces 10-nation force to counter Houthi attacks in Red Sea

 The US has announced the launch of a multinational force to protect trade in the Red Sea following attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The 10-nation initiative will include Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Seychelles, and the UK. The US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, urged countries to uphold freedom of navigation and collective action against the Houthi rebels. The rebels have ramped up drone and missile attacks on vessels in key shipping lanes since the start of the Gaza war.