The UK and the US have announced their participation in a multinational operation in the Red Sea, following a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial shipping and oil facilities.

The operation, led by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), aims to protect the freedom of navigation and the flow of trade in the strategic waterway, which connects the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, said the countries involved in the initiative include Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain. He added that the operation would also support the efforts of the UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to end the conflict and reach a political solution.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis, backed by Iran, seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and much of the north, forcing the internationally recognised government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition, supported by the US, the UK and France, intervened in 2015 to restore the government and counter Iran’s influence in the region.

The war has caused the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 20 million people in need of aid, and millions facing famine and disease. The UN security council has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a political settlement, but the warring parties have failed to agree on the terms and conditions.

The Houthis have stepped up their attacks on Saudi Arabia and its allies in recent months, launching missiles and drones at civilian and military targets, including oil facilities and airports. They have also targeted vessels in the Red Sea, posing a threat to international shipping and maritime security.

The latest attacks occurred on Tuesday, when the Houthis claimed responsibility for two strikes against commercial ships in the southern Red Sea, according to CENTCOM. No casualties or damage were reported, but the incidents raised the alarm among the international community and the shipping industry.

The UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, condemned the attacks and said the UK was committed to working with its partners to ensure the security and stability of the region. He also urged the Houthis to stop their offensive and engage in peace talks.

The US and the UK have both expressed their support for the Saudi-led coalition and its right to defend itself, while also calling for an end to the offensive operations and the humanitarian suffering in Yemen. They have also announced changes in their policy towards the war, including suspending some arms sales and ending their support for the coalition’s offensive operations.

The US and the UK hope that their involvement in the Red Sea operation will deter further attacks by the Houthis and pressure them to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. They also hope that the operation will enhance the security and stability of the region, which is vital for the global economy and energy supply.