Two top UK and US officials ratcheted up talk of “consequences” for Houthi attacks against shipping in the Red Sea.
Neither went so far as to clearly state that counterstrikes against the Iranian-backed Yemeni militants were imminent, but the comments appeared to suggest that the latest cannonade of missiles and drones crossed a line after a multinational warning a week earlier.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken told reporters in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, it is important that his country responds to an attack like the complex assault launched on Tuesday against busy Red Sea shipping lanes, which has been described as the biggest since the Houthis began firing on vessels in November.
“And in fact, the US and the UK — two participants in Operation Prosperity Guardian — responded effectively to the attacks just yesterday,” he said, referring to the US-led operation to counter the Houthi threat.
“We also had some 20 countries come together to make clear that if these attacks continue as they did yesterday, there will be consequences.”
His comments came a day after US Central Command, which is based in Bahrain and coordinates American military forces in the region, said coalition naval forces shot down 18 one-way, unmanned aerial vehicles — known as kamikaze drones — in addition to two cruise missiles and a ballistic missile.
And they echoed comments by UK defence secretary Grant Shapps, who said the Houthis failed to heed a warning issued by 14 countries on 3 January that consequences would follow further attacks.
“Last night proved they really are not listening,” he said. “We won’t allow this to continue. So watch this space.”
The Financial Times said Shapps’ comments represented a hint that military retaliation against the Houthis could be imminent.
Asked by a reporter when the talk of consequences would turn into action, Blinken said he did not want to telegraph Washington’s plans.
“All I can tell you is, again, we’ve made clear, we’ve been clear with more than 20 other countries that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And I’m going to leave it at that,” he said.
Blinken also directed ire at Iran, which he said has “aided and abetted” the Houthis’ attacks.
“We’ve also repeatedly tried to make clear to Iran, as other countries have as well, that the support that they’re providing to the Houthis, including for these actions, needs to stop,” he said.
“It’s not in their interest to see the conflict escalated, and we’re not the only ones who sent that message to Iran.”
