Sunak Pledges to Uphold Free Trade and Freedom of Movement in UK
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently addressed the issue of air strikes targeting the Houthis in the Red Sea in a written statement. The Royal Air Force has carried out “targeted attacks” on military facilities used by the Houthis in Yemen, citing the series of dangerous and destabilizing attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea as a threat to the UK and other international ships and causing major disruptions in the vital trade route.
Sunak emphasized that these actions have led to a rise in commodity prices and described them as “reckless”, stating that they risked lives at sea and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. He defended the “necessary and proportionate” action taken against linked targets in response to the continued attacks on British and US warships in the Red Sea, despite repeated warnings from the international community.
The Prime Minister highlighted the engagement of the UK, along with the Netherlands, Canada, and Bahrain, in self-defense against targets linked to the attacks, with the aim of weakening Houthi military capabilities and protecting global shipping. He also mentioned the ongoing multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter Houthi aggression and called on the Houthis to cease their attacks and de-escalate tensions.
The recent actions of the Houthis in Yemen have prompted shipping companies to halt their voyages in the Red Sea, leading to negotiations for the establishment of an international “Maritime Task Force” and the announcement of the multinational mission “Operation Welfare Guardian” by the Pentagon to address the attacks on commercial ships. As these attacks pose a threat to the Suez Canal, through which approximately 12 percent of global trade is carried out, and could potentially impact the global economy, concerns have been raised about a potential new “supply chain crisis”.
In light of these developments, Prime Minister Sunak’s statement emphasizes the UK’s commitment to defending freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce, while also underlining the importance of taking necessary actions to maintain global security and stability.
