British warships have been patrolling the Red Sea right now as Rishi Sunak accused “malign actors” of focusing on free commerce and delivery.
The Royal Navy’s Type 23, Duke-class frigate HMS Lancaster and Type 45, Daring-class destroyer HMS Diamond have been crusing up and down the waterway as a part of a global coalition to guard service provider vessels. Assaults on ships within the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have compelled main delivery corporations, in addition to the oil and gasoline large BP, to droop commerce by the very important waterway. The US and allies, together with the UK and France, have launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to counter the menace.
Speaking to the Commons Liaison Committee of senior MPs right now, Mr Sunak warned the deteriorating safety state of affairs within the Red Sea was “deeply concerning”. As a maritime nation, we have all the time believed very strongly in free and open delivery lanes – that’s now being threatened by malign actors,” he stated. “It’s just further evidence that the international picture is both complex and more challenging and previously we, I think, may have taken many of these things for granted. It’s clear that we can’t and we need to invest in our defence capability and strengthen our alliances to keep everyone at home safe and protect our economy too.”
Earlier the PM advised the Cabinet that “malign actors were seeking to exploit the situation in the Middle East for their own ends”. He added: “This had led to several companies suspending passage through the area.” Mr Sunak’s spokesman stated the PM advised prime ministers “the UK has always stepped up to protect free trade and HMS Diamond and HMS Lancaster were in the region to provide necessary deterrence”.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the UK had joined the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition, “and would continue to discuss joint efforts to deter attacks and mitigate any impact on consumers”. The PM’s spokesman insisted the Government was “clear eyed” about Iran’s actions within the Middle East.
“These are Iran-backed rebels and we know that Iran is actively seeking to undermine stability in the region,” he stated. “We are clear eyed about that and that’s why we are acting alongside our allies to provide the necessary deterrence to protect commercial shipping.” Asked what the PM’s message to Tehran could be, the spokesman added: “The message is clear through this taskforce and the capabilities it provides.”
Downing Street recommended Beijing must also search to guard delivery by the Red Sea and Suez Canal. “It’s in everybody’s pursuits, together with China clearly, to guard business delivery,” stated the PM’s spokesman. “We do important commerce with China, as does the US and it is vital that these commerce routes are protected.”