US, UK, and French military forces have collaborated to counteract a significant threat in the Red Sea involving Houthi drone attacks targeted at merchant vessels. The coalition successfully neutralized 28 drones, marking a critical response to the Houthi aggression that has escalated since November, largely to express solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. The engagement saw the UK’s Royal Navy, through HMS Richmond, intercept two drones, while a French warship alongside fighter jets eliminated four drones aimed at a European naval mission and a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden. UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps affirmed the coalition’s dedication to protecting lives and ensuring the freedom of navigation. The persistent Houthi assaults have compelled ships to reroute, sidestepping the Suez Canal for lengthier passages, consequently raising shipping costs and presenting a threat to global economic stability.

Separately, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, experienced a fire while docked at Glenmallan port in Scotland, pending repairs after being withdrawn from a NATO exercise with the US and Canada. Described as “minor,” the fire caused no injuries or fatalities but did result in minor damage to the ship without affecting the onboard ordnance. The navy indicated that the blaze was quickly extinguished, with an investigation launched to ascertain the cause. This incident comes after the ship encountered a “mechanical issue,” necessitating its removal from the planned NATO operation, which would include over 90,000 troops. The HMS Queen Elizabeth was to be replaced by HMS Prince of Wales for the exercise as confirmed by the fleet commander. The Ministry of Defence is now working on assessing the origin of the fire and ensuring the fleet’s overall safety and operational readiness.