UK Defence Secretary declares British forces will fend off Houthi assaults in the Red Sea

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has stated that British forces are prepared to take action against Houthi rebels who target cargo ships in the Red Sea. In an article, he emphasized that the UK is willing to directly protect the vital shipping lane. Shapps pointed out that a suspected attack drone was shot down by a British warship in December, and he emphasized that further action would not be hesitated upon. The Houthi rebels have been targeting foreign ships during the Israel-Hamas conflict. As an Iran-backed rebel group supporting Hamas, the Houthis have launched over 100 drone and missile attacks on ships heading towards Israel. Shapps made it clear in his piece for the Daily Telegraph that these actions will be held accountable. He warned that continued aggression in the Red Sea could lead to miscalculation and escalate tensions, potentially triggering a broader conflict in the region. Not protecting the Red Sea would also embolden those looking to threaten other areas like the South China Sea and Crimea. Shapps insisted that the international community needs to pass this test and that the UK should stand firmly with its allies. In December, the US initiated a multinational naval operation to safeguard ships in the region, with participation from countries like the UK, Canada, France, Bahrain, Norway, and Spain. As part of this alliance, a British destroyer, HMS Diamond, shot down a suspected attack drone, marking the Royal Navy's first aerial target engagement in decades. On Sunday, the US Navy destroyed Houthi "small boats" that attempted to board a container ship in the Red Sea. Responding to a distress call, helicopters from nearby US warships sank three boats in self-defense after being fired upon, resulting in the death of the crews, while the remaining boat fled. The Red Sea serves as a crucial shipping lane, connecting markets in Europe and Asia. Analysts warn that the Houthi attacks may lead to price increases as the Red Sea is a significant route for Middle Eastern oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.