The UK, US and eight allies said Friday their joint air strikes on rebel targets in Yemen were aimed at restoring “stability in the Red Sea”. “Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,” the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, UK, and the US said in a joint statement.