Britain is prepared to “hit Houthi rebels in Yemen again” following the escalation of tensions in the region.
Grant Shapps insisted that the UK and US wanted last week’s airstrikes to be a one-off but were prepared to take further action if deemed necessary.
He denied claims that the attacks were an escalation of conflict in Gaza.
He instead argued that it’s an unconnected defence of global shipping and the right to navigate international waters.
Grant Shapps denied claims that the attacks were an escalation of conflict in Gaza
PA
The Defence Secretary added that it would have given the Houthis “too much information” if MPs had debated the strikes in advance.
He told Times Radio: “We had a very deliberate strategy of providing very clear notice to the Houthis and the Iranians that if they did not stop then there would be consequences.
“I can tell you, the Americans and myself, my opposite number over there, were very carefully coordinating our approach towards this to deliberately make it clear that they need to stop.
“They did not. And of course, you’ve seen the consequence.”
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Grant Shapps said that it would have given the Houthis “too much information” if MPs had debated the strikes in advance
Reuters
Shapps added that while the strikes were intended to prevent the sort of “thuggish behaviour” attacking ships in the Red Sea, Britain would be prepared to strike again if the Houthis didn’t stop.
He said: “We very much hope that they will take a lesson from this and stop harassing shipping which has a perfect right to be travelling through the Red Sea — these are international waters.
“Of course if the Houthis don’t stop we have to look at this again.”
The Welwyn Hatfield MP denied Houthi claims that the attacks on the ships were in response to the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
