The UK is actively considering launching airstrikes against Houthi rebels, following a recent incident where the US Navy reportedly destroyed three boats that were attacking a container ship in the Red Sea.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated that the UK government is prepared to take decisive action to prevent future assaults, with plans for a joint statement with the US to issue a stern warning to the-based group.
This development comes in the wake of a confrontation where Houthi forces from Yemen reportedly engaged the container ship Maersk Hangzhou.
According to the US military, the Houthis approached dangerously close to the ship, prompting US helicopters to intervene and engage the attackers.
The US Central Command reported casualties among the Houthi crew members, while the container ship remained unharmed.
In an article for the Telegraph, Shapps emphasized the UK’s commitment to safeguarding maritime navigation in the Red Sea and holding responsible parties accountable for any unlawful attacks or seizures.
The UK has already stepped up its presence in the region, with the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond joining a US-led task force, Operation Prosperity Guardian, alongside American and French warships.
The situation is further complicated by the Houthis, backed by Iran, claiming responsibility for attacks on ships in the Red Sea. They assert these attacks are retaliatory measures against vessels linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports.
The group’s actions are reportedly in response to Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7.
David Cameron, the foreign secretary, said he had spoken to Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on Sunday.
“I spoke to [Amir-Abdollahian] today about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which threaten innocent lives and the global economy,” Lord Cameron said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks given their longstanding support to the Houthis.”
