US, UK mull strikes against Iran-backed Houthis following Red Sea attacks

British media reported that Downing Street called for an emergency cabinet meeting tonight to approve UK military action against the Houthis.
SUEZ, EGYPT - JANUARY 10: A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on January 10, 2024 in Suez, Egypt. on January 10, 2024 in Suez, Egypt. In the wake of Israel's war on Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi rebels in Yemen pledged disruption on all ships destined for Israel through the Red Sea's Suez Canal. The disruption on world trade is evident in the number of companies using this container ship route - a 90 per cent decline compared to figures one year ago. (Photo by Sayed
A ship transits the Suez Canal toward the Red Sea on Jan. 10, 2024, in Suez, Egypt. In the wake of Israel's war on Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi rebels in Yemen pledged disruption on all ships destined for Israel through the Red Sea's Suez Canal. - Sayed Hassan/Getty Images
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The US and UK governments are mulling their response against Yemen's Houthi rebels following yet another attack on international shipping in the Red Sea on Thursday. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is holding an emergency call with his cabinet to assess a response to attacks by the Houthis, British media reported on Thursday.

The cabinet call had been scheduled for 19:45 GMT on Thursday, the Times newspaper reported. The report said Britain and the United States were preparing to launch military strikes against the Houthis. 

The meeting comes after the US military confirmed on Thursday another attack by the Iran-backed rebels in the Red Sea targeting international shipping lanes despite warnings from Washington and London earlier in the week. 

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