President Biden is expected to make a statement tonight after the US and UK conduct military strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The strikes are expected shortly with a series of statements from the US, UK and other international allies to follow, the Times reports. Both the UK and the US warned there could be consequences if ships are continually targeted in the Red Sea.
Joint US and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles launched by the Houthis late Tuesday, in what was described as their biggest attack so far in solidarity with Palestinians in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
Antony Blinken warned of ‘consequences’ if the Houthi do not stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and called on Iran to end their support for the rebels.
‘We’ve been clear with more than 20 other countries that if this continues as it did yesterday that there will be consequences,’ he said on Wednesday.
When asked if there would be consequences for Iran, he added: ‘We’ve also repeatedly tried to make clear to Iran as other countries have as well that the support hat they are providing to the Houthis needs to stop.
‘It’s not in their interests to see these conflicts escalated and we’re not the only one who sent that message to Iran.
‘These attacks have been aided and abetted by Iran with technology equipment and intelligence and they are having a real life impact on people.’
It comes at a fraught time for the US – as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is reeling from his prostate cancer operation. He has been in hospital for over a week.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks.
On Thursday British stealth jets and combat drones were being readied for the airstrike with warships moved into the Red Sea in recent days.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak briefed his cabinet of ministers on the imminent military intervention earlier on Thursday, the Times report said.
British media also reported that other political figures, including the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, as well as the speaker of the House of Commons, had been briefed by the government.
If a coalition attack is launched overnight Thursday, it would come seven days after the Western allies sounded their ‘final warning’ to the rebel group.
The U.S. military said the Houthis earlier on Thursday had staged their 27th attack on shipping since Nov. 19, firing an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.
The rebels say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets are increasingly random, raising the risk of a US retaliatory strike on Yemen. Various shipping lines have suspended operations, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.
