The British Ministry of Defense announced that one of the UK's most advanced warships will return to the Red Sea to protect global shipping from Houthi attacks.

A ministry statement said that the ship HMS Diamond will take over responsibility for the ship HMS Richmond, which joined Operation “Guardian of Prosperity”, that is, the international coalition to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks, last February.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that protecting shipping around the world is one of the Navy's key missions, stressing that this deployment shows how highly skilled sailors and advanced warships help keep sea lanes safe.

Shapps stressed that Britain remains at the forefront of the international response to the serious Houthi attacks on commercial ships, which claimed the lives of international sailors.

HMS Diamond had previously operated in the area in December and January, maintaining an almost continuous presence in the “high threat area” in the Red Sea. The destroyer came under fire in three separate Houthi attacks, and succeeded in destroying nine drones using the Sea Viper missile system and its world-class guns.

The statement stressed that the United Kingdom is committed to deterring the Houthis from their indiscriminate attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. He stressed that the Houthis' illegal attacks claimed the lives of international sailors, and continue to harm the global economy and undermine the stability and security of Yemen, according to the statement.

Italy drops two marches

This comes as an Italian military ship shot down two drones in the Red Sea on Tuesday as part of the European Operation Aspids, which aims to confront Houthi attacks, as announced by the Italian Ministry of Defense.

It explained in a statement, “Within the framework of the European Union’s Operation Aspids, the ship Cayo Dolio, based on the principle of self-defense, shot down two drones,” and stated that this operation aims to “defend freedom of navigation and trade routes” through the Red Sea.

This is the first time that Rome has announced that it shot down drones in the Red Sea since Parliament approved a week ago participation in the “Aspedes”, of which Italy is operationally commanding.

The Houthis have launched repeated attacks on commercial and military ships since last November. In the face of these attacks, the United States formed a multinational maritime protection force in the Red Sea in December under the name “Prosperity Sentinel,” while the European Union launched a similar mission in February, called “ASPEDS.” This mission is scheduled to last for one year and may be renewable.