UK's MFA: Houthis must stop attacks in Red Sea

"This is illegal. It's not to do with Gaza, it's not to do with Israel. This is about the freedom of navigation. This is about the ability of ships to carry their cargo," the British minister told journalists on Thursday, January 4, during a trip to Kosovo.

Cameron noted that if attacks on ships continue, the world economy will be affected.

"And these attacks need to stop or actions will be taken," he emphasized.

However, the official refused to specify what actions Britain would take and whether it would send more military ships to the region.

World reaction to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea

Earlier, the UK Secretary of Defense, Grant Shapps, stated the country's readiness to take "direct action" in response to Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. In particular, he allowed for the possibility of airstrikes.

It should be noted that at the end of December, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian, hinted that Tehran shares responsibility for preventing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Recall that since November 2023, Yemeni Houthis, supported by Iran, have been attacking civilian ships in the Red Sea with connections to Israel. This is happening against the backdrop of Israel's war with Hamas, supported by Yemeni militants.

On December 19, the Pentagon announced the start of a special operation called Prosperity Guardian to protect ships from Houthi attacks. Over 20 countries agreed to join the coalition. It was also reported that on December 16, a British destroyer shot down with a Sea Viper missile a drone attempting to attack a commercial ship in the Red Sea.

On January 4, members of the UN Security Council called on Yemeni Houthis to stop attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.