2024-01-08 12:35:37
WORLD – Under threat from the Houthis in the Red Sea, the British government is considering airstrikes in response to the attacks. THE HMS Diamond patrol to ensure security but tensions persist after attacks in reaction to the Israeli offensive on Gaza. The United Kingdom, aligned with the United States, is seeking measures to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and is trying to put pressure on Iran.
The British government is directly threatening Yemen’s Houthis after recent attacks in the Red Sea. Following confirmation of the destruction of four ships by the US military, including the container ship Maersk Hangzhou under the flag of Singapore, Defense Minister Grant Shapps warned in the Daily Telegraph that London was considering airstrikes in response to future attacks.
“The Houthis must not draw misleading conclusions: we are determined to respond to malicious actors who carry out illegal attacks,” warned Grant Shapps. “Continued aggression in the Red Sea risks escalation that could trigger regional conflict.”
Britain’s defense minister said the situation in the Middle East “is a test for the international community” and reiterated the UK’s desire “to stand with its allies.” Failure to ensure protection of the Red Sea would serve to “embolden” other powers who “seek to create tensions in places like the South China Sea and Crimea” (referring to the situation in Taiwan and the war in Ukraine).
Safeguarding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, vital for global maritime traffic
The British government contributed to the newly formed coalition to ensure naval security in the Red Sea with the destroyer HMS Diamond, which has been patrolling the area since December and even neutralized a drone attack. Grant Shapps’ statements are being interpreted as a foretaste of a tougher stance in defending the security of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which up to 12% of global maritime trade passes.
In reaction to the Israeli military offensive on Gaza, responding to the attacks launched by Hamas on October 7, the Houthi rebels (actors in the civil war in Yemen since 2015, supported by Iran to fight against the intervention led by Saudi Arabia) launched attacks on ships bound for Israeli ports.
“Military actions aimed at protecting Israeli ships will not prevent us from fulfilling our religious, moral and humanitarian duty in favor of the oppressed of Palestine,” declared Sunday, December 31, the spokesperson for the Houthi rebels, Yahya Sarea, confirming the death of ten of their members during the confrontation “with the American enemy”.
The United Kingdom behind Washington in the face of threats in the Red Sea
The British government was quick to align itself with Washington and said it would “not hesitate to take further action to end threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”
Foreign Secretary David Cameron attacked Iran after a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. “I have made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks, given its long-standing support for the Houthis,” Mr Cameron said.
“The situation in the Red Sea is extremely serious and the Houthi attacks are unacceptable and destabilizing,” a Downing Street spokesperson said: “We are working on a range of scenarios, no decision has yet been taken and we will continue to follow diplomatic channels. We call on the Iranian-backed Houthis to cease their illegal attacks. We will continue to work with the United States and our allies to protect freedom of navigation.”
Over the past three months, the Houthis have launched several missile and drone attacks. Targets included southern Israel as well as ships owned by Israeli companies, both in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
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