BRITAIN will not “hesitate” to launch more strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis, Rishi Sunak has warned.
The Prime Minister‘s comments come after the Red Sea saw more action on Sunday, with the US military confirming that one of its fighter jets shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired towards an American destroyer.
The moment an RAF Typhoon launched a precision strike on a Houthi military target in Yemen
ReutersTribal Houthi supporters group burn US and British flags during a protest against recent strikes near Sanaa in Yemen[/caption]
Since the UK and the US smashed dozens of military targets last week in Yemen, the furious rebel group vowed “unimaginable” revenge.
Speaking during a visit in Essex this morning, the PM said he wanted to de-escalate tensions and restore “stability back to the area”.
But he warned: “Now, I think it is encumberment on the Houthis to recognise the international condemnation for what they are doing and desist. But we, of course, will not hesitate to protect our security where required.”
The possibility for Britain to conduct further strikes has also been raised by both the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary.
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Grant Shapps told Sky News this morning the UK will “consider” whether it “has to take further action” to repel Houthi attacks.
He said the purpose of last week’s strikes were “not to go into Yemen or anything like that”, but to “send a very clear, I hope unambiguous message” for the Houthis to stop their assaults.
The Cabinet Minister added: “We will now watch and monitor the situation very carefully.
“As we’ve said — not just to the Houthis but to their Iranian masters, in a sense, because they are really proxies for Tehran — this cannot go on.
“International shipping … freedom of navigation is just a given and always has been for many, many years. We cannot have that situation where they are trying to harass it and we will keep a very close eye.
“If we have to take further action, that is something that we will consider.”
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Meanwhile, writing for the Sunday Telegraph over the weekend, Lord Cameron said the UK and its allies will “always defend the freedom of navigation” and “will be prepared to back words with actions”.
The Foreign Secretary also that the Houthi assertion that their attacks are linked to Israel’s war in Gaza is “nonsense”.
“They’ve attacked ships from countries all over the world, heading to destinations right across the globe,” he wrote.
The PM is due to make a statement in the House of Commons this afternoon.
In a move criticised by the Lib Dems and SNP, Mr Sunak announced the military action when Parliament was not sitting.
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