British Defense Minister: We Are Ready to Attack Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Grant Shapps, the British Defense Minister, warned that London is considering airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen and will not hesitate to take "direct action" to stop their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. In an article published in the British newspaper 'Telegraph' on Sunday, January 1, he wrote: "The Houthis should not be under any misunderstanding. We are committed to holding the wicked actors accountable for their attacks and the unlawful seizure of commercial vessels." According to the 'Telegraph', Britain is designing plans with the United States for potential military strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen to counter their attacks on shipping lines in the Red Sea, which have disrupted global trade. The British Defense Minister referred to the operation of the Royal Navy ship 'HMS Diamond' in late December, which destroyed a Houthi drone in the Red Sea, stating: "We are determined to take direct action and will not hesitate to take further measures to prevent threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea." These warnings from the British official come after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on Sunday that several Houthi boats involved in the attack on the Danish commercial ship 'Maersk-Hangzhou' were sunk, killing at least 10 Houthi militants who intended to board the vessel. The 'Telegraph' noted that it seems unlikely that this statement refers to a specific military action, but Shapps stated: "If the Houthis continue to pose a threat to life and disrupt trade (in the Red Sea), we will be forced to take necessary and appropriate actions." He added: "Diplomatic efforts to find a solution have been made, but with limited success." Two senior U.S. defense officials told the 'Telegraph' that the Biden administration does not announce its military plans in advance, but did not rule out the possibility of airstrikes in the near future. An American defense source also told the newspaper: "U.S. forces have the inherent right of self-defense, and if we decide to take action against the Houthis, we will do so at a time and place of our choosing." David Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, stated on Sunday after the Houthi attack on the Maersk ship that he told Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister, that Iran must act to stop Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Cameron posted on social media platform X, stating: "I clearly stated that Iran, given its long-standing support for the Houthis, bears the responsibility for preventing these attacks, which endanger innocent lives and the global economy." The Houthis of Yemen announced that they are targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea in support of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which is backed by the Islamic Republic. According to Iranian media, Masoud Daneshmand, a board member of the Iranian Transport Institutions Association, noted that the problems caused by the Houthis in the Red Sea have led to shipping costs and freight rates increasing by up to 50%. Britain has downed an attack drone in the skies over the Red Sea. Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea have set a Liberian-flagged ship on fire. Houthi missile attacks prompted a response from two U.S. warships. Continued Houthi attacks on ships have led 'Maersk' to suspend passage through the Red Sea for 48 hours. The commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet stated that there are no signs indicating an end to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Two other ships have refrained from passing through the Red Sea; the White House stated that it is monitoring the situation. An American warship downed a Houthi drone and a ballistic missile.