On board a French warship protecting Red Sea vessels from Houthi attacks Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out last October, Yemen's Houthi rebels have been carrying out attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war in Gaza. The Houthis' missiles and drones are spreading terror along a particularly busy shipping route. The French and US navies, as well as an EU naval mission, are deployed in the area to protect commercial navigation. The French navy agreed to take FRANCE 24 reporters Bastien Renouil and Olivia Bizot on board one of its frigates to witness the operations behind the scenes.