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Situation in the Red Sea
05 February 2024
Lead MP
Grant Shapps
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
DefenceEconomyForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 32
At a Glance
Grant Shapps raised concerns about situation in the red sea in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Freedom of navigation is a cornerstone of civilisation, prosperity and security. Since October, the Houthis have been attacking international vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with Iranian support. The UK has responded by joining Operation Prosperity Guardian, conducting precision strikes on Houthi targets, and increasing diplomatic engagement to stop arms flows and financial resources to the Houthis. On November 19, the Galaxy Leader was seized illegally, leading to a series of attacks. Insurance premiums have increased tenfold since December due to these actions. Most recently, HMS Diamond faced an attack. The UK used RAF Typhoons for targeted strikes against Houthi locations, targeting drone control stations at As-Salif and Al-Munirah and facilities at Bani. The operation aimed to deter attacks and degrade capabilities while ensuring minimal civilian casualties. The UK has committed £88 million in humanitarian aid this year, aiding 100,000 Yemenis monthly. The aim is for the Houthis to stop attacking shipping, harming global trade, and harming their own people; if necessary, the UK will respond again in self-defence.
John Healey
Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Question
Questions about the effectiveness of recent strikes on drone control centres in As-Salif and Al-Munirah. Are these strikes part of a sustained campaign or one-off actions? How long will Operation Prosperity Guardian be needed?
Minister reply
The strikes were effective against specified targets to degrade Houthi capabilities, though continuous attacks indicate ongoing threat. The aim is deterrence rather than escalation; operations remain limited and reactive.
John Healey
Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Question
Inquires about the readiness of HMS Queen Elizabeth for deployment to the Red Sea due to its current issues. Also, inquires if RAF flights have taken place since the last session.
Minister reply
While HMS Queen Elizabeth faces operational challenges, other options are available. No further RAF missions were conducted post-statement.
John Healey
Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Question
I thank the Defence Secretary for the advance copy of his statement. We back the UK-US airstrikes that took place at the weekend to protect shipping in the Red Sea, but question whether they were effective and how long Operation Prosperity Guardian will be needed. He also enquires about diplomatic action against the Houthis and Iran, as well as RAF flights aiding Gaza.
Minister reply
The Defence Secretary confirms the strikes hit their targets effectively and acknowledges that the attacks have become less sophisticated and more sporadic. The duration of Operation Prosperity Guardian is uncertain but aims to conclude quickly. He rejects any link between Houthi attacks and Gaza, focusing instead on diplomatic efforts for a humanitarian truce. RAF flights are not the issue; it's getting aid into Gaza that remains problematic.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Does the Secretary of State feel there is a link to the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting Russia and Iran are working together?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State agrees with the linkage point made by the MP, confirming that Russian drones used in Ukraine are similar to those employed by Houthi proxies.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
The people of Scotland and elsewhere on these islands deserve to know what the plan is for this crisis in the Red sea—not the timings, the detail of missions, the tactical ambition or the resources behind these, but the broad strategy being pursued with lethal force in our name and in the absence of parliamentary approval. The MP also discusses concerns about the impact of Russian actions on energy costs and asks about the sustainability and escalation risks of current operations.
Minister reply
The Minister listens carefully to the hon. Gentleman’s support for action taken by the Government, stating that it cannot be right that international shipping is prevented from freedom of navigation. He also mentions the decision not to send an aircraft carrier on a final inspection due to abundance of caution and assures that the Royal Navy's resources are prepared and ready.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Question
Concern about stretching the Royal Navy’s resources due to personnel issues. The MP asks what representations the Secretary of State is making to ensure that the growth in maritime concerns around the world will be met by a commitment from the Treasury.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms £288.6 billion for equipment over 10 years and reports an eight-year high in applications to join the Royal Navy, six-year high for the Army, and a significant increase in RAF applications this January compared to last year.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
Concerns about Iran using UK banks to evade sanctions and fund Iranian proxies. The MP asks what assessment the Government has made of these allegations and whether they will proscribe the IRGC.
Minister reply
The Minister notes that the issue is repeatedly raised in the House but does not routinely comment on proscription, stating instead that the entirety of the IRGC is sanctioned already and that this matter comes under Foreign Office and Home Office portfolios.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
Concern about hitting the wrong target and Iran being behind attacks on British troops, asking if putting off a decision now will cost more lives in the future.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees with his right hon. Friend that Iran is behind all this and they are working hard to pressurise Iran into realising its current approach can do no good for regional stability.
Hayes and Harlington
Question
Concerns about the insanity of a direct attack on Iran and pressing the Biden Government to put maximum pressure on Netanyahu to secure peace in Gaza.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms close collaboration with the US, highlighting recent meetings with Blinken, Lloyd Austin, and discussions on securing peace for Palestinians while providing security guarantees for Israel.
Question
Concern about the sustainability of current operations and a case for urgent operational requirement to upgrade Type-45 destroyers given their inability to strike targets inland.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges his right hon. Friend’s interest in this matter, mentions fitting surface-to-surface systems on HMS Somerset, and points out that there is no issue with Typhoons flying a long distance.
Ben Bradshaw
Lab
Exeter
Question
Will the Secretary of State please have another go at giving a better answer to the question from the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon about the extremely serious report in today’s Financial Times that two of Britain’s main banks are indirectly helping to fund the Houthis, with whom we are now in some sort of conflict?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman will have heard my answer a moment ago. I know that he wants me to go into further detail, but I am unable to do that at the Dispatch Box right now. We have noted both the question and the article of this morning. We are also intensely engaged in finding the best way to ensure that Iranian influence, whether through the UK or in the region, is limited.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Harborough
Question
The Houthi rebels are violent extremist antisemites, and it is right that we take action to combat their aggression in the Red sea. It seems that there is success in degrading their capabilities. Is the Secretary of State confident that we will get to the point where we can stop the attacks altogether?
Minister reply
I think the clock is running down for the Houthis, in as much as their ability is being degraded, as my right hon. Friend points out—they do not have the eyes and ears from the radar stations; they are more reliant still on Iran, and only the UK and the US have done interdictions of their weapons.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Question
Will the Secretary of State confirm what the long-term strategy is and how it relates to the ongoing precarious situation in Yemen? Do the Government plan to commit to sustained military action? If so, surely it is only right for Parliament to have its say in the appropriate way.
Minister reply
This is the third time that we have come to Parliament and made a statement—I know that the hon. Lady has made other contributions to the debate—so we do feel that Parliament is being fully engaged in the process. We are not looking to make this a sustained, long-term military action.
James Sunderland
Lab
Workington
Question
The Defence Secretary cannot comment specifically on target acquisition, but will he please confirm to the House that our intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance is focused on those Houthi capabilities directly engaged in the attacks on international shipping? Is it reasonable to assume that further degradation of those capabilities will result in increased security in the Red sea?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend asks a good question that has not yet been asked. The answer is yes. We are looking carefully, and the locations chosen on this occasion were indeed from a combination of US and UK intelligence.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
The Government are right to have this strong response for what may seem to many to be a faraway war or incident, but which could impact so much on people’s lives here in the United Kingdom, through food shortages, supply chain disruption and inflation. Given the reports about shortages of Royal Navy personnel, the difficulty with munitions, the difficulties with some ships and now the increased demands on the Navy because of tensions with China and Russia—maybe even Argentina in future—will the Secretary of State assure us that we have the capability to play our part in keeping supply chains open? What discussions has he had with other allies to get them involved in the task of supporting us in this job?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman is right about the importance of trade. Some 90% of our goods come to this country via the sea, so it really matters to the United Kingdom, but it matters to the whole world.
Tom Hunt
Lab
Wells
Question
I fully support the Government’s action in the Red sea. The irony of the Iranian regime accusing us of destabilising the region through our actions will not be lost on reasonable people. Does the Secretary of State agree that those demonstrators on the streets of London applauding what the Houthi rebels have been doing are at best useful idiots and at worst truly the enemy within?
Minister reply
I use my own language, but it is disgraceful to see people go out and support those who are indiscriminately firing at merchant ships—that is absolutely appalling. I will not repeat my hon. Friend’s language; I will put that support down to ignorance rather than anything else.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
The Secretary of State is rightly clear about breaches of international law by the Houthis in the Red sea. Can he be equally clear about breaches of international law by all sides in Gaza? Does he think it will help reduce hostilities across the middle east if the Government can build a broader international coalition in support of their diplomatic and military aims?
Minister reply
The United Kingdom Government always want international humanitarian law to be adhered to, and we make that point repeatedly to every side in this conflict. I think the hon. Gentleman is driving at Israel.
Andrew Percy
Con
Brigg and Goole
Question
Further to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich, as well as open support for the Houthis this weekend on the streets of central London, some protestors in the pro-Palestinian marches again called for an intifada and held up deeply racist antisemitic signs, one of which included informing Israelis—we presume Jewish Israelis—that they were indigenous to nowhere other than hell. I am not sure that it is just ignorance; I think something more sinister is at play among some of the protestors. We should call it what it is: pure and simple Jew hate. Will the Secretary of State inform the House whether he has spoken to anyone else across Government about more action to deal with some of the hate on our streets?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary continuously keeps this matter under review, and meets police chiefs to ensure that they have the powers to combat what my hon. Friend rightly describes as absolutely disgusting behaviour, which has no place at all on our streets.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
It is an extraordinary situation where the Secretary of State comes here, makes a matter-of-fact statement about the launch of missiles against a number of targets and countries, gives no indication of the long-term war aim by the UK at present, and says absolutely nothing about the crying, desperate need for a ceasefire to protect the people of Gaza from further death and destruction. Does he not realise that the extension of the conflict by Britain and the United States to at least four other countries risks a huge conflagration across the whole region?
Minister reply
Never have I disagreed so much with the right hon. Gentleman—and that is saying something, given that he wants to scrap Trident and pull us out of NATO.
Michael Ellis
Con
Canterbury
Question
I commend the Defence Secretary for his excellent work. He talked about Yemen. Its Foreign Minister, Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak, said on Thursday that there is no doubt that Iran’s Quds Force operatives have been deployed to his own coastline. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the extent of Iran’s aggressive military adventurism and its destabilising effect on international peace and security?
Minister reply
Quite simply, Iran is a malign influence not just on Yemen but on the entire region. My right hon. and learned Friend is right to point out the manner in which it has helped to create instability in the Red sea.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
I understand the need to protect international shipping and maritime security in the Red Sea. However, some are concerned about wider escalation in this volatile region. What steps is the Government taking diplomatically or otherwise to prevent an escalating regional conflict?
Minister reply
The actions we have taken are specific and targeted and not open-ended. Diplomatic efforts include meetings with Sullivan, Blinken, Lloyd Austin, and discussions in the region aimed at resolving the situation.
Question
We are looking at a comprehensive strategy to degrade Houthi capabilities while considering the proscription of Houthis as terrorists. Why have they not been listed under 'Proscribed Terrorist Organisations'? Is there a plan for a contact group or similar body to deal with non-state actors in the long term?
Minister reply
We are working closely with Home Secretary on balancing food aid access and proscription. We need to ensure that food can still reach Yemen while addressing the threat of Houthi actions.
Question
If diplomatic efforts fail, is the Government determined to pursue military options to resolve this conflict in the Red Sea?
Minister reply
The action we have taken is specific and targeted. We are committed to the ongoing diplomatic process for wider peace in the Middle East.
Question
Egypt’s Suez Canal provides $9.4 billion of trade to its economy. What measures will be taken to counter Houthi pirates and prevent disruption of this vital route?
Minister reply
We met with the Egyptian Defence Minister to discuss these concerns, stressing the importance of resolving issues quickly to avoid disruptions.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
Only UK and US were actively involved in military action over the weekend. Can you explain the risk assessments that led different countries to have varying levels of involvement?
Minister reply
The UK and US are better equipped to carry out such actions due to capacity limitations for others, but a wide group supports Operation Prosperity Guardian.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
Given the ongoing attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis, will the Government be prepared to intensify military action with allies in self-defence to degrade their ability to attack commercial shipping?
Minister reply
We will act within international law for self-defence and respond proportionately. We are not looking to escalate but will need to revisit if attacks continue.
Question
The issue is linked to Gaza, as stated by Yemen’s embassy and Brigadier Deverell. Is it time to call Israel to heel and ensure a ceasefire instead of escalating the conflict?
Minister reply
Houthis’ claims are propaganda for convenience. The situation in the Red Sea is not intrinsically linked to Gaza.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Iran has deployed its Alborz warship and continues to evade deterrence despite US Navy SEAL deaths. Does Iran need direct deterrence for regional escalation via proxies?
Minister reply
We are aware of the link between Iranian ships and weapons shipments to Houthis, and global pressure needs to be applied on Iran to cease such activities.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
What steps have been taken through air and sea capabilities over the last four months to establish routes for aid to reach Gaza by sea or air?
Minister reply
Strikes aimed at degrading Houthi ability are part of efforts to ensure food can enter Yemen via the Red Sea, which provides almost all their food.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Question
We support free shipping but fear escalating action if deterrence fails. What additional non-military measures are being considered to end this conflict?
Minister reply
While Houthi attacks persist, their cadence has slowed since January 11th attacks. We explore UN routes and peace treaties between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement, and for his strong and robust determination to stop the attacks on international shipping. I say, “Well done, Secretary of State,” and let me also say that we in the House, or certainly most of us, support the line that he is taking.
Does the Secretary of State agree that the fact that pro-Hamas Houthi sites are celebrating the effect that the strikes in the Red sea are having on food and other supply chains sends a signal that the words spoken and actions taken by this country—our Government—and our allies are not yet having the desired effect? What steps will the Secretary of State and our allies take not simply to prevent trade route difficulties from escalating already eye-watering prices, but to send the clear message that we in the United Kingdom are not afraid to use our strength and our intelligence to respond adequately and, if necessary, even more strongly?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman has made a very worthwhile point. It is clear that the Houthis, while perhaps no longer able to act as they once did, are not fully degraded. There must surely come a time when they understand that this is no longer in their interests, because we are working actively to intercept new supplies as far as possible and they will continue to be degraded if they continue to act as they have in respect of commercial shipping and, of course, the Royal Navy. There will eventually be a conclusion to that, but I do not want to mislead the House by saying that this is over, because I simply cannot guarantee that for one moment, so let me make it clear again from this Dispatch Box that we will always have to keep the option open if it is not over.
Shadow Comment
John Healey
Shadow Comment
The Labour party supports the UK-US airstrikes against Houthi targets to protect shipping. The strikes were limited and targeted to minimise civilian casualties but are still necessary given ongoing Houthi attacks. They aim to deter attacks and degrade capabilities, though Houthi attacks continue albeit less sophisticatedly. John Healey asks about the effectiveness of recent strikes on drone control centres, future military action, UK naval presence in the Red Sea, diplomatic efforts against Iran, and aid for Gaza. Labour commits to accelerating UK aid efforts if elected.
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