BRITISH and US warships shot down a barrage of 18 drones and three missiles fired towards the Red Sea by Iranian-backed rebels.

HMS Diamond, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Gravely, USS Laboon and USS Mason responded after the Houthis launched a “complex attack” on international shipping lanes on Tuesday night.

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The US Central Command said 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by a “combined effort” of the UK and US.

It said it was the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November 19.

“There were no injuries or damage reported,” it said.

Earlier this month, 14 countries, issued a joint statement condemning the Houthis for “threatening lives and the global economy”.

“The Houthis will bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, or the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways,” it said.

The attack came head of a UN Security Council vote on Wednesday to demand an immediate halt to the attacks by the rebels – who say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel’s war in Gaza.

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