US to lead taskforce to protect Red Sea shipping | BBC News

The US has announced a new international taskforce to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Countries joining the security group include the UK, France, Canada, Bahrain, Norway and Spain.

It comes after the energy giant BP suspended its shipping operations through the Red Sea because cargo vessels have been attacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen.

This is the route taken by around 12% of world shipping, which then passes through the Suez Canal. But several major freight companies have now stopped taking the route.