Ammon News - Several countries have agreed to jointly carry out patrols in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to try to safeguard commercial shipping against attacks by Yemen's Houthi, who say they are supporting Palestinians under siege by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, on a visit to Bahrain, identified several countries taking part in an international force.

"This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative," Austin said in a statement on Tuesday.

It identified participating nations led by the United States as including among others Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas conflict by attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and even firing drones and missiles at Israel, more than 1,000 miles from their seat of power in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

There were no injuries reported by either vessel.

The heads of the U.S. CIA and Israel's Mossad and Qatar's prime minister were expected to meet and discuss the possible release of more hostages, U.S. officials said on Monday.

Reuters