The UK warns of deteriorating security in the Red Sea, and a Royal Navy ship joins the task force.

While agreeing to send a Royal Navy destroyer to join an American-led campaign to protect trade in the region, Britain issued a warning that the security situation in the Red Sea was deteriorating and that ballistic missile and drone strikes posed an increasing threat.

To safeguard shipping from the increasing number of strikes carried out by Houthis in Yemen, the United States said earlier on Tuesday that it was assembling a task force of ships to guard commerce in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, essential trade routes.

In reaction to Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have intensified their attacks, causing major oil company BP (BP.L) and freight companies like Maersk to steer clear of the region.

The U.S.-led multinational team will include HMS Diamond, which shot down a suspected drone in the Red Sea on Saturday, according to a statement released by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday.

Britain’s defense minister, Grant Shapps, stated in the statement, “These illegal attacks are an unacceptable threat to the global economy, undermining regional security and threatening to drive up fuel prices.”

“This is an international problem that requires an international solution.”

In addition to HMS Diamond, three US destroyers and a French vessel are presently part of the task force, according to Britain. They are fighting illegal non-state actors in international seas to preserve human lives, international trade, and freedom of navigation in the Southern Red Sea.

According to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the unit will be able to prevent future attacks and safeguard commercial vessels.

He continued by saying that some commercial shipping boats were rerouting to lengthier voyages to avoid potential threats and that the government was watching for signs of inflation seeping into the economy caused by the interruption to maritime traffic.

although, he stated that there were no intentions to dispatch any further British navy ships to the area; although, the spokesperson added that this would be monitored closely.