Houthi rebels will stop targeting British ships

Gaza ceasefire is key to safe passage in Gulf trade route

- Mark Reynolds

BRITISH ships will be safe from missile attacks by Yemen's Houthis in the Gulf provided the Gaza ceasefire holds, the rebel group said.

Many of the world's biggest shipping companies have suspended operations through the trade route while several British-flagged vessels have been badly damaged by strikes.

But the Yemen-based Humanitarian Operations Co-ordination Centre, liaising between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, said the group was stopping "sanctions" against vessels owned by the US or UK or sailing under their flags.