During a press conference on Wednesday, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps issued a warning that Britain is on the verge of commencing airstrikes in response to the attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen’s Houthis. Shapps emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that such actions cannot be allowed to persist.
He stressed the significance of the shipping lane as a major route for global trade and expressed concern over the disruption caused by the terrorists and criminals responsible for these attacks.
Shapps also highlighted the involvement of Iran in supporting the Houthis, providing them with both the necessary equipment and intelligence to carry out these assaults.
The recent incident involved the British destroyer HMS Diamond successfully intercepting seven Houthi drones, with additional support from three US destroyers and F-18/A planes. This attack was described as the most intricate operation launched by the Houthis in response to Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza.
The Houthis have declared that their attacks will persist until the blockade on Gaza is lifted. They claim that their recent strike targeted an American ship providing support to Israel as a retaliatory measure against the American enemy’s attack on their naval forces.
In response to these attacks, the UN Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding an immediate cessation of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The strikes have been condemned for hindering global commerce and freedom of navigation.
This resolution comes after the UK, US, and other nations issued a final warning to the Houthis, emphasizing the need to halt their profoundly destabilizing attacks or face the consequences. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a series of attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea.
These attacks have caused significant disruptions to global trade and freedom of navigation. Previously, a substantial portion of global trade, including container traffic, passed through this waterway. However, due to safety concerns, major shipping companies have opted for longer and more expensive routes around the Cape of Good Hope, abandoning the direct route.
The UK Treasury has warned that this disruption could have a negative impact on the country’s economy, with estimates of a 0.3% shrinkage that may increase over time.
