When the British woke up on Friday, January 12, they learned that their army, together with the Americans, had carried out “targeted” military strikes against the Houthi militias in Yemen, whose attacks had paralyzed maritime trade since November 2023. These attacks were “necessary” and followed a logic of “self-defense,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, with the UK needing to send a “strong message” that Yemeni rebels cannot act “with impunity.”
British military action appeared inevitable in recent days as attacks by Houthi militias backed by Iran and claiming to support the Palestinian cause increased despite warnings from the anti-Houthi naval coalition formed in mid-December under US auspices. On January 10, the British destroyer HMS Diamond had to repel one of the largest attacks to date with 18 drones and missiles sent by the rebels. “Shipping in the Red Sea must be protected, which is why we have taken action. “Our actions are necessary, legal, proportionate and fair,” Foreign Secretary David Cameron assured in a video.
The British executive joins the American position, as it has consistently done since the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, even if the brutal response of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip has already caused more than 23,000 deaths, according to the authorities Enclave, which is now causing great concern for London. Since his arrival in Downing Street in October 2022, Rishi Sunak has been careful not to antagonize the traditional American partner, despite rather cold relations with the Biden government.
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The Conservative also maintains his unwavering support for Ukraine, in line with his two predecessors Liz Truss and Boris Johnson. He also visited Kiev on Friday morning to meet Volodymyr Zelensky and announce £2.5 billion (€2.9 billion) in new military aid, mostly made up of drones and long-range missiles. However, Mr Sunak stopped short of announcing a multi-year support plan for Ukraine, contrary to the wishes of Tory MPs.
“Escalation risks”
The very cautious Keir Starmer approved of the British intervention in Yemen and believed that the Houthi attacks “threaten lives” in addition to global trade. The Labor leader is keen to place himself at the center of the national political spectrum and distance himself as much as possible from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who stepped up his criticism of NATO. A long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause, he didn't mince his words on Friday. According to him, the American and British attacks represent “an escalation.” [militaire] “Ruthless, which will lead to more deaths and suffering,” wrote the MP, who was expelled from the Labor Party by his successor, about the now harsh sentences.
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