Rishi Sunak is set to address Members of Parliament today, marking his first appearance since the UK joined the United States in launching strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The government is contemplating additional strikes on the Houthi armed group if attacks on vessels in the Red Sea persist, according to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who conveyed this information to BBC News. Emphasizing that the UK has no intention of adopting an extended approach in the Red Sea, Shapps asserted the primary goal is to ensure the smooth operation of international shipping.
When questioned about the possibility of future strikes, Shapps remarked on BBC Breakfast, "Of course, if the Houthis don't stop, we will have to look at this again. We very much hope they will take a lesson from this and stop harassing shipping."
Addressing criticism of the government's decision to strike without parliamentary debate or vote, Shapps defended the move, stating that providing too much information in advance might have jeopardized the mission's success. He asserted that there was considerable consultation with Parliament, including the Speaker, the leader of the opposition, and others.
Describing the strikes on 16 Houthi rebel sites as "discrete proportionate action," Shapps expressed hope that it would convey a clear message against disrupting international shipping. He noted that the strikes also aimed to send a message to Iran, which he accused of supporting the Houthis.
Responding to the Houthi claim of targeting only ships linked to Israel, Shapps pointed out that vessels from 50 different nations had been attacked, dismissing the Houthi's assertions.
Following the strikes, the US reported shooting down a missile from a Houthi area of Yemen aimed at one of its warships, with no reported injuries.
Rishi Sunak, who is delivering a statement about the strikes in the House of Commons, is participating in military action for the first time since becoming prime minister in October 2022, marking a significant political milestone for him. Questions are anticipated regarding the UK's potential involvement in further strikes and the government's plans to prevent a broader regional conflict.
While Conservative MPs generally support Sunak's decision, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, briefed ahead of the strikes, expressed support and called for a parliamentary debate. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticized the lack of parliamentary consultation, emphasizing the importance of debating and voting on military actions. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron defended the decision, citing operational security as a priority before parliamentary discussion. Photo by UK Parliament, Wikimedia commons.