The US announced a 10-nation force in the Red Sea to Counter Houthi attacks.

The coalition, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, will comprise Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the UK, and other nations.

After at least twelve shipping lines were forced to halt operations due to strikes by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the United States announced the formation of a multinational force to safeguard trade in the Red Sea.

The ten-nation “multinational security initiative” will include Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Seychelles, and the United Kingdom, according to a statement made by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday.

The US announced a 10-nation force in the Red Sea to Counter Houthi attacks.

Austin stated in a statement that the attacks are a problem that “demands collective action” and that “countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor.”

The US and UK navies reported over the weekend that their destroyers had shot down a total of fifteen drones in the waterway, leading to the announcement.

Since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, the Houthis, who support Iran, have increased their drone and missile attacks on ships in vital maritime lanes, allegedly targeting those with connections to Israel or Israelis.

In an effort to show support for Palestinians in Gaza, the rebel group stated on Monday that it had used naval drones to attack the MSC Clara and the Swan Atlantic, both owned by Norway.

The owner of Swan Atlantic, Norway’s Inventor Chemical Tankers, stated in a statement that the ship was run by a Singaporean company and has no connection to Israel.

None of the vessels reported any injuries.

Senior Houthi leader and spokesperson Mohammed al-Bukhaiti warned Al Jazeera on Monday that the organization would fight any coalition led by the United States in the Red Sea.