Red sea crisis: To deter Houthis, Belgium to supply marine ship to EU mission 

Belgium will reportedly supply a marine ship to an EU mission to protect ships in the Red Sea from attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Iran-aligned Houthi group has been targeting vessels in the region since November, impacting commerce on a route that accounts for as much as 15% of the world’s shipping traffic. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s war with militant group Hamas in Gaza. Many commercial shippers have diverted vessels to other routes following attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthis, who control much of Yemen and say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. While the Iran-backed group claims it only targets ships with ties to Israel, vessels with no clear connection to Israel have been attacked as well. Recently, European Union member states have given initial backing to a naval mission to protect ships from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia in the Red Sea, European diplomats said on Tuesday, after the launch of a U.S.-led mission in the region. Many commercial shippers have diverted vessels to other routes following attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthi militants, who control much of Yemen and say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians as Israel and Hamas wage war in Gaza. With inputs from agencies.