The United States and a host of other countries have reportedly planned an international mission to protect commercial ships transiting the strategic Red Sea route from drone and missile attacks from the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, announced US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday. The United States and a host of other countries have reportedly planned an international mission to protect commercial ships transiting the strategic Red Sea route from drone and missile attacks from the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, announced US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.