The Red Sea has come under sustained attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, prompting the US to create a new force to protect vessels in the major shipping route amid the Israel-Hamas war.   A US warship on Thursday shot down a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile in the Red Sea fired by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the US military said. "The USS Mason (DDG 87) shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by the Houthis," the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, referring to a guided-missile destroyer.   "There was no damage to any of the 18 ships in the area or reported injuries. This is the 22nd attempted attack by Houthis on international shipping since October 19," the statement read.   Houthis increase attacks in Red Sea The Houthis have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the important waterway where everything from oil and natural gas to electronics and toys pass through. The Houthis say the attacks are in support of ending the war in Gaza. The Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, earlier on Thursday spoke about the importance of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.   Prosor told the German news agency DPA: "What the Houthis are doing in the Red Sea is not only directed against Israel, but against the entire international community." Israel has vowed to crush Hamas' governing capabilities in Gaza in retaliation for its attacks on Israel on October 7, where militants killed around 1,200 people in Israel, most of them civilians. Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by the US, the EU, Germany and others. Commercial ships rerouted to bypass Red Sea The attacks on vessels in the Red Sea — through which 12% of global maritime trade passes — have prompted the United States and a host of other nations to create a new force to protect ships.   Some of the world's largest shipping companies have re-directed their vessels on longer journeys in order to bypass the Red Sea. The US also imposed sanctions on December 28 against groups from Yemen and Turkey that allegedly helped fund the Houthis.

China and the US are once again in a standoff over the question of sovereignty in the South China Sea. The US says its ship was asserting its maritime rights in the area. China warned the US on Friday that there would be "serious consequences" after a US warship entered waters claimed by Beijing, ramping up already heightened tensions. The US Navy destroyer USS Milius sailed around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea for the second day in a row, in a move that Beijing described as violating China's sovereignty. What Beijing said "We sternly demand the US to immediately stop such provocative acts, otherwise it will bear the serious consequences of unforeseen incidents," Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Tan Kefei said. "The act of the US military seriously violated China's sovereignty and security, severely breached international laws, and is more ironclad evidence of the US pursuing navigation hegemony and militarizing the South China Sea," he added. China said that it chased off the USS Milius, a claim that the US Navy denies. Why was the US warship near the Paracel Islands? The guided-missile destroyer was asserting navigational rights and freedoms in the contested area, according to the US Navy. "Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations," the US Navy 7th fleet said in a statement. The US Navy has a regular presence in the South China Sea, although Washington has no territorial claims there. The strategic waterway is a path of transit for around $5 billion (€4.62 billion) every year, as well as being highly valued for its fish stock and mineral resources. The question of sovereignty over numerous small islands in the South China Sea has been one of the main sources of tension between the two superpowers, along with the fate of Taiwan. China has laid claim to large maritime regions that overlap the exclusive economic zones of other countries in the region — including US allies such as the Philippines. A recent series of events have ramped up tensions between Washington and Beijing, including the shooting down of an alleged Chinese spy balloon in US airspace, China's support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine and visits by leading US figures to Taiwan — another island Beijing considers part of its territory.

The United Kingdom's (UK) Royal Navy warship HMS Kent arrived at Chattogram Port Jetty this morning marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country's independence.    The ship was welcomed by Chief Staff Officer of Commander Chattogram Naval Area Captain SM Moyeen Uddin, said a press release.    The British defense adviser in Dhaka and other senior naval officials were present during the welcome ceremony.    The 133-meter-long ship, commanded by Commander MJ (Matt) Sykes RN, is carrying 32 officers, 187 sailors and three civilians onboard.    During this friendly visit, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship, Commander MJ (Matt) Sykes RN, will call on Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander BN Fleet and Chairman, Chattogram Port Authority. Moreover, officers and sailors of HMS Kent will visit Bangladesh Naval Academy, BNS Shaheed Moazzam, War Cemetery, BN Ashar Alo School and Rehabilitation Center for Children with Special Needs, various tourist and historical sites in Chattogram.    Friendly sports and cultural arrangements are also planned during the visit. This visit will strengthen the historic ties and foster friendly relations between the two countries.    Earlier, when the ship reached the waters of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Abu Bakar accorded traditional welcome.    On completion of the visit, the ship is expected to leave Chattogram port on October 18. Source: BSS AH