The United States wants to form the “broadest possible” maritime coalition to protect ships in the Red Sea and send an “important signal” to Yemen’s Houthis that further attacks will not be tolerated, the US envoy for Yemen told Reuters.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters last week that Washington was in talks with other countries over a maritime task force that would “ensure safe passage of ships in the Red Sea,” but gave no further details.

US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said the US wanted the multi-national coalition to send “an important signal by the international community that Houthi threats to international shipping won’t be tolerated.”