UK vows continued 'self-defense' against Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – Britain’s defense secretary on Monday reaffirmed the commitment of the UK and its allies to defend against Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, citing the need to counter what he called the Houthis' "barbaric behavior."

Following a series of airstrikes over the weekend, Grant Shapps announced that the Royal Air Force had successfully targeted eight sites in Yemen, including installations used by Houthi forces for long-range drone operations, spanning both reconnaissance and attack missions.

This marks the fourth joint operation against the rebel group since Jan 12.

"The Houthis could stop this barbaric behaviour any time they want. Instead, they callously choose to continue their reckless acts of aggression, causing harm not just to innocents, but to their own people in Yemen," he said in a statement to members of parliament.

Shapps said despite concerted efforts, the strikes have had limited impact on deterring "Houthi aggression," prompting continued collaboration with the US and other allies to mitigate their capacity to "disrupt security, economic interests, and humanitarian aid flows."

"Until they stop, we will continue to act, but the consensus continues to grow that the Houthis’ violations simply cannot continue, and that is why recently the European Union officially launched its Operation Aspides," he added, mentioning how in ancient Greek “aspides” meant “shield.”

He stressed the imperative to prevent further regional escalation and underscored the UK's resolve to push back against "Iran's destabilizing behavior, aligning actions with international law and the principle of self-defense," referring to Iran’s reported support for the Houthis.

The Houthis have been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

With tensions escalating due to the US and UK launching joint airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, the group declared it considered all American and British ships to be legitimate military targets.

A coalition led by the US has carried out intermittent airstrikes since Jan. 12 against Houthi sites in Yemen in response to the attacks in the Red Sea.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.