The UK's foreign secretary, Lord Cameron, emphasized that military action against the Houthis in Yemen was deemed necessary due to their repeated attacks in the Red Sea. Lord Cameron, in
an article for the Sunday Telegraph, stated that the UK had given multiple warnings to the group before participating in US-led strikes. The reason cited for the military intervention was the potential threat to important trade routes and the possibility of increased prices in the UK if the Houthis continued to obstruct these routes.
The Houthis, a group backed by Iran, have targeted ships in the Red Sea, claiming to be responding to the war in Gaza and expressing support for Hamas. Lord Cameron asserted that the Houthi attacks were not solely related to the Gaza conflict, pointing out that they had targeted ships from various countries worldwide.
The foreign secretary highlighted the importance of defending the freedom of navigation and suggested that the UK might undertake further strikes against Houthi targets if their attacks persisted. He argued that the joint action with allies aimed to degrade Houthi capabilities supported by Iran.
US-led strikes against Houthi targets were initiated in response to the perceived threat, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak describing them as "limited, necessary, and proportionate action in self-defence." Critics have questioned the lack of parliamentary consultation before the strikes, but the government maintains that it is not required.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer defended his support for the strikes, emphasizing the protection of trade, security, and lives as paramount to the national interest. US President Joe Biden indicated the possibility of further retaliation if the Houthis continued their actions.
Despite the strikes, a Houthi spokesman claimed that they had no significant impact on the group's ability to affect shipping. The situation has led to protests in Yemen, with tens of thousands expressing their discontent, burning Israeli and American flags. The Houthis control a significant part of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea coastline, considering themselves part of the Iranian-led "axis of resistance" against Israel, the US, and the broader West. Photo by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.