His government, according to Rishi Sunak, “will not hesitate to protect our security” in the wake of joint US-UK strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The objective, according to him, was to convey “an unequivocal message” to the Houthi group regarding the “unacceptability” of targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Mr. Sunak has not pledged the United Kingdom to a new military operation since assuming the position of prime minister in October 2022.
On Monday afternoon, he will respond to members of Parliament’s inquiries concerning the demonstrations.
In an interview with reporters, Mr. Sunak defended the action, stating that it was “a last resort” after “exhaustive diplomatic activity.”
He stated that the Houthis, a political and military organization that controls Sanaa and the north of Yemen, must “abandon their actions in recognition of the international community’s condemnation.”
Airstrikes on Houthi Targets: Maritime Security Concerns
The United States and the United Kingdom conducted airstrikes against military Houthi targets on Thursday to impede their capacity to attack cargo ships.
In protest of the conflict in Gaza, the Iran-backed group has claimed to be attacking Israeli-affiliated ships; however, it also appears that commercial vessels with no connection to Israel have been targeted.
In light of the attacks, prominent shipping companies have opted to redirect their vessels circumnavigating southern Africa rather than the Red Sea.
Chief Houthi negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters that the United States and the United Kingdom’s strikes had not altered their stance and that ship attacks would continue.
When queried about the likelihood of additional assaults against the Houthis, Mr. Sunak responded, “We shall not hesitate to safeguard the safety and security of the British people, our interests, and our assets.”
Previously, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated that if vessel attacks in the Red Sea continued, the government would “reconsider” launching additional strikes.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom had “no interest in engaging in an extended approach in the Red Sea,” he added.
Political Responses to Airstrikes: Parliamentary Debate
Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, endorsed the strikes but added that members of parliament “now require to be briefed on the extent, foundation, and complete rationale that underpin the decision.”
If the government intends to take additional action, it should state so and present the case; we will have to evaluate that on the merits of each case.
The Liberal Democrats, the SNP, and Plaid Cymru allotted to the government a vote on the military action last week.
Currently, the Liberal Democrats have declared their intention to introduce a measure requiring members of Parliament to have a say in the deployment of armed forces, with emergency exemptions.
A spokesman for the party’s defense, Richard Foord, declared that Parliament should not circumvent a matter of this magnitude concerning military action.
The government does not have a legal obligation to seek parliamentary approval before initiating military operations. In recent years, the House of Commons has established a convention allowing it to deliberate on the deployment of military forces beforehand under the majority of circumstances.
Mr. Shapps, defending the government’s decision not to consult members of Parliament before the assaults, stated, “It might have given the Houthis perhaps too much information and specifics.”
