U.K. warns Willing to take 'direct action' over Red Sea attacks

Defense Secretary Grant Shapps stated on Monday that the UK is prepared to take direct action against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are backed by Iran and have been involved in repeated attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. This announcement from London comes amid escalating tensions in the crucial shipping lane. U.S. Navy helicopters fired on Houthi rebels attempting to board a cargo ship on Sunday.

The Houthi rebels, who took control of Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014 and dominate much of the country, including its Red Sea coastline, have claimed 10 fighters dead or missing in the recent incident. The rebels, asserting solidarity with Palestinians in the 

The Israel-Hamas conflict has frequently launched drones and missiles at passing ships in the Red Sea, a route through which 12% of global trade transits.

Following the latest episode, Defense Secretary Shapps emphasized that Britain is prepared to escalate its military interventions, highlighting a British destroyer's action in mid-December when it shot down a suspected Houthi attack drone in the Red Sea.

"We are willing to take direct action, and we won't hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea," Shapps stated in the Daily Telegraph. He conveyed a clear message to the Houthis that they should understand the commitment to holding those responsible for unlawful seizures and attacks accountable.

Describing the situation as a test for the international community, Shapps warned that the need to protect the Red Sea extends beyond the immediate region. He pointed out that failure to safeguard the Red Sea could embolden threats in other contested waterways globally, including the South China Sea and Crimea.

The Telegraph reported that London is working with Washington on plans for potential military strikes against the Houthis, and a joint statement providing a final warning to the rebels was said to be imminent. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also communicated with his Iranian counterpart, emphasizing Iran's responsibility in preventing these attacks due to its longstanding support for the Houthis.

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