Fresh Houthi strikes fuel fears UK could be dragged into prolonged conflict
Houthi rebels launched fresh missiles against civilian shipping on Wednesday, sparking fears that the latest US and UK airstrikes have not done enough to curb the group’s capability to mount attacks.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs the joint military action against the Yemen-based militants on Monday evening had destroyed eight targets near the country’s capital and had degraded the Houthis’ “ability to hold our seas to ransom”.
But US central command reported the Iran-backed Houthis had fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles from rebel-controlled areas of Yemen towards the M/V Maersk Detroit, a US-owned and registered container ship in the Gulf of Aden.
None of the missiles struck the ship and two were shot down by the USS Gravely and there were no reported injuries or damage to the ship, US CentCom said.
But the fresh action will fuel concerns in the UK and US governments that the resilience of the Houthis could drag both countries into a prolonged and sustained military campaign in the Red Sea.
Labour has supported the UK’s involvement in military action against the Houthis, but has expressed concern that British forces could get dragged into a prolonged conflict.
The UK military is to assess the damage from its airstrikes on Monday, the second time British aircraft have been involved in action in the Red Sea since the crisis began, before ministers decide whether fresh strikes are needed.
Rishi Sunak warned on Tuesday that the UK would “not hesitate” to mount further action, and did not rule out when asked by a leading Tory MP whether there needed to be a “prolonged and persistent” campaign to protect civilian shipping.
Mr Shapps told MPs the joint US-UK strikes “destroyed eight targets near Sanaa airfield”, including surface-to-air missile launchers, adding: “We’re not aware that there were any civilian casualties and the operation was designed in that context.”
Foreign Secretary David Cameron arrived in Israel on Wednesday for the start of a tour of the Middle East to assist efforts to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
He will also meet counterparts in Turkey and Qatar and discuss the wider risks of escalation in the Middle East, including the crisis in the Red Sea.
