Multiple reports on Thursday evening indicate that the British and American governments have made the decision to carry out air and missile strikes against the Houthis in Yemen with the aim of reopening the Red Sea.
According to Bloomberg, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has received approval from his cabinet and authorized joint military strikes with the US. The Times had earlier reported that these strikes could take place as early as Thursday evening.
The UK currently has two ships, HMS Diamond and HMS Lancaster, in the area, with HMS Richmond on its way.
US-led coalition is expected to target Houthi bases and boats using ships and fighter jets. As of now, there have been no official announcements from either 10 Downing Street or the White House. Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has expressed concerns about this military intervention, urging Sunak to recall Parliament and allow MPs to debate and scrutinize the proposed action. On Tuesday, the Houthis launched several missiles and drones into the Red Sea, which were reportedly intercepted by the US-led naval force. British Defense Secretary Grant Schapps emphasized the need to act in order to prevent terrorists and thugs from disrupting a major sea route for global trade.
The announcement made by the Shia group in control of Yemen’s capital on Thursday stated that they were not afraid of the West.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Houthi spokesman Abdulsalam Jahaf declared that they would respond to any American aggression and confront America, making it kneel. He further threatened to burn American battleships, bases, and anyone who cooperates with them, regardless of the cost. Jahaf also emphasized their commitment to Gaza, vowing to continue targeting Zionist ships and asserting that the world should prepare to witness America’s defeat.
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, expressed solidarity with Gaza in response to Israel’s offensive against the Palestinian enclave. This offensive was triggered by Palestinian militants raiding nearby Israeli towns, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis. According to local pro-Hamas authorities, over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed since then.
