Rishi Sunak says Houthi Red Sea attacks is having ‘economic consequences’
Rishi Sunak said the Houthis’ “illegal” harassment campaign in the Red Sea is having “economic consequences”, as he defended the UK taking part in a third wave of air strikes.
There have been fears that the attacks on commercial ships in the Middle East could drive up the price of goods in the shops, as cargo firms are forced to re-route their vessels via longer and more costly routes to avoid clashes with the rebel group.
Rishi Sunak said the UK on Saturday had acted in “self-defence” when taking part in joint air strikes with the US to target Houthi sites in Yemen on Saturday after ships including British linked ones were attacked.
He repeated that he “won’t hesitate to protect British lives”, suggesting he would be undeterred from continuing to approve further RAF bombing raids if the Houthis do not cease their attacks.
Mr Sunak spoke about the UK’s decision to conduct another wave of air strikes with the US during his visit to Northern Ireland on Sunday, following earlier joint action on 11 and 22 January.
The Conservative Party leader said: “Since the last set of strikes, we have seen the Houthis continue to attack shipping in the Red Sea.
“That is obviously unacceptable, it is illegal. It puts innocent people’s lives at risk and it has economic consequences.
“And that is why we have acted again in self-defence, in a proportionate way, and together with our allies.
“I have been clear that I won’t hesitate to protect British lives, British interests, and our diplomatic efforts are focused on bringing de-escalation and stability back to the region.”
Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the “reckless” Houthi attacks “must stop”.
But rebel leaders said the latest allied air strikes would not deter them from targeting commercial ships in an operation they say is backing Palestinians in Gaza.
Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said: “These attacks will not discourage Yemeni forces and the nation from maintaining their support for Palestinians in the face of the Zionist occupation and crimes.
“The aggressors’ air strikes will not go unanswered.”
The Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and elsewhere off the Yemen coast in recent months, claiming they are targeting Israeli or Israel-destined ships in protest at the war with Hamas in Gaza.
The Prime Minister also admitted in an interview with Piers Morgan which aired on TalkTV tonight that the Government has failed in its pledge to get NHS waiting lists down, and blamed striking staff for worsening the situation.
In the interview filmed at his NO10 Downing Street residence, Mr Sunak admitted: “We have not made enough progress.
“its not good enough the performance in A&E and ambulance waiting times.”
He also told how “industrial action has had an impact” and explained how in November last year when no strikes took place in 2023 for the first time waiting lists fell by almost 100,000.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
