A British warship has “repelled” Iranian-supplied attack drones and missiles used by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has revealed.
Shapps released a statement this morning confirming Anglo-American efforts to target the Houthis after a Type 45 Destroyer was deployed to the region to protect its shipping routes.
The Tehran-backed rebels have been causing chaos in the Red Sea by targeting what it alleges are Israeli-supporting vessels.
Attacks were ramped up following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7.
Grant Shapps released a statement this morning confirming Anglo-American efforts to target the Houthis
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The Defence Secretary said: “Overnight HMS Diamond, along with US warships, successfully repelled the largest attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.
“Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her and commercial shipping in the area, with no injuries or damage sustained to Diamond or her crew.
“The UK alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences.
“We will take action needed to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”
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Defence Secretary Grant Shapps
GETTYThe Anglo-American operation came after 18 one-way attack drones were fired by Houthi militias in Yemen.
Two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile were also launched at about 9.15pm local time.
The US has claimed the aerial onslaught represented the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping since November 19.
Houthi rebels have argued the attacks are aimed at ending Israel’s offensive against the Gaza Strip.
The United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors shipping attacks in the region, said it was aware of an attack off the Yemeni port of Hodeida on Tuesday.
Houthi fighters are targeting ships in the Red SeaREUTERSThe attack took place ahead of a planned UN Security Council vote on Wednesday.
The vote looks to potentially condemn the rebels and demand an immediate halt to the Houthis attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.
Despite receiving a warning by a group of more than a dozen Western nations, Houthi rebels last week vowed to keep targeting shipping vessels.
In a joint statement, which included Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the Western coalition called the attacks on shipping "illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilising" and said there was "no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels".
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron recently spoke with his Iranian counterpart about the situation.
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron recently spoke with his Iranian counterpart about the situation
PAHe said: "I spoke to Hossein Amir-Abdollahian today (December 31) about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which threaten innocent lives and the global economy.
"I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks given their long-standing support to the Houthis."
Tehran has rejected the suggestion that it supports attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, said there was no reason to accuse Tehran but added that the Middle Eastern nation stood squarely behind “Palestinian resistance movements”.
“Iran proudly announces that it supports Palestinian resistance movements for the liberation of their land,” he said.