Rishi Sunak holds Cabinet meeting as US-UK airstrikes expected against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen
RISHI Sunak is holding a Cabinet meeting tonight amid the on-going Red Sea attacks on the Navy.
The discussion will focus on possible US-UK strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, it’s understood.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps this week said “watch this space” when asked if the UK would take any action after warships were targeted.
Downing Street last night said they were “constantly monitoring” the security situation in the region.
The US and Britain both said the Houthis faced “consequences” for unleashing 18 drones and three missiles at a Royal Navy warship and nearby merchant vessels on Tuesday.
Britain was “consulting with America” over possible strikes on Houthi bases.
Meanwhile, the United Nations security council called for an immediate end to Houthi rebels targeting ships in the Red Sea.
The resolution which was primarily backed by the US and Japan highlighted the right of UN members to defend their vessels from attack.
It effectively backed Operation Prosperity Guardian in response to the Houthi-led attacks.
The terror group are attacking merchant ships and military vessels in the region which are linked to Israel or heading for the country’s ports as they show solidarity with Hamas.
Disruption instigated by the Houthi group could drive up prices in UK supermarkets as container ships are diverted around Africa adding ten days to journeys.
Earlier today, masked gunmen in military uniforms stormed the St Nikolas, a Greek-owned 900ft tanker carrying 145,000 tons of crude.
The hijacked vessel then made a turn towards the Iranian coast.
Despite sailing under a Marshall Islands flag, Iran’s official IRNA agency claimed the tanker belonged to the United States.
Armed personnel carrying weapons boarded the Greek-owned St Nikolas vessel as their Houthi allies threatened more intense Red Sea attacks.
The St Nikolas was sailing in international waters after leaving Iraqi port Basra on January 8, bound for Turkey.
The same ship, then known as the Suez Rajan, was involved in a year-long dispute between Tehran and the US Justice Department after a million barrels of Iranian crude oil was confiscated.
Today, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was stormed by a group of four or five people on Thursday morning.
The armed intruders were reported to be wearing military style black uniforms and black masks.
UKMTO, which provides warnings to sailors, said it took place some 50 miles off the coast of Oman.
The incident appeared to be separate from Iran-backed Houthi rebels launching their biggest missile and drone strike at a Navy warship this week.
But the dawn raid came as Houthi rebels vowed to ramp up attacks in the Red Sea if America attacks its bases in Yemen.
The Houthi’s leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi said in a televised statement: “Any American attack will not remain without a response.
“The response will be greater than the attack that was carried out with twenty drones and a number of missiles.”
Q&A on Yemen's Houthi rebels
WHO are the Houthis?
SHIA Islamist rebels who are in control of much of western Yemen. They formed in the 1990s and are backed by Iran.
Their slogan is “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam”.
WHY are they attacking ships?
TO show support for Hamas following the outbreak of its war with Israel. On November 19, the Houthis promised to target vessels they believe are heading to and from Israel.
ARE they a danger to the UK?
YES. The attacks disrupt global supply routes. Ships are sailing further which could see prices and inflation go up.
Delays in natural gas shipments will force energy costs to rise