- UK considers airstrikes on Houthis
- Red Sea vessel attacks
- Diplomatic efforts ongoing
The Houthis said they want to resolve the Gaza crisis by targeting Israeli-bound vessels.
Britain may bomb Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, where the US Navy downed three ships after a container ship.
Secretary of Defence Grant Shapps stated that “direct action” would not be an option for the government to prevent additional assaults on cargo.
The US military reported that four Houthi-controlled Yemeni warships fired on the Maersk Hangzhou. The vessels approached within meters of the vessel.
Multiple members of the armed boat personnel perished, according to US Central Command.
Mr. Shapps indicated that the United Kingdom is “willing to take direct action” and additionally “won’t hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”
The Telegraph claims that potential airstrikes are included in this.
Shapps stated, “There should be no confusion regarding our commitment to holding malicious actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks, including the Houthis.”
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond participated in December’s global endeavours to dissuade cargo vessel assaults in the Red Sea.
Iran supported The Houthis assert that the attacks are on Israeli-affiliated or port-bound vessels. They also intend to end Hamas’ air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron announced on Sunday that he had communicated with the Iranian foreign minister.
He wrote in a post on X: “Today, I discussed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea with @Amirabdolahian, which endanger innocent lives and the global economy.
I made it clear that Iran is equally responsible for preventing these assaults given their longtime support for the Houthis.
A spokesman for the United Kingdom government stated, “The situation in the Red Sea is dire, and the Houthi attacks are destabilising and unacceptable.”
Unsurprisingly, despite the ongoing preparations for various scenarios, no decisions have been reached thus far, and diplomatic efforts remain unobstructed.
We demand an end to these unlawful assaults by the Houthi, supported by Iran. We are collaborating with partners and allies to safeguard freedom of navigation.
