Rishi Sunak is holding a full cupboard name this night which is regarded as about UK and US army strikes towards Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The assembly began at 7.45pm tonight, with senior figures together with international secretary David Cameron seen getting into Downing Street.
It comes after an emergency COBRA assembly was held this morning, adopted by a name between Mr Sunak and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi this afternoon.
Downing Street stated the leaders mentioned “the concerning rise in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the disruptive impact on global shipping, including through the Suez Canal”.
“The prime minister said the UK would continue to take action to defend freedom of navigation and protect lives at sea,” a spokesperson added.
Attacks by Houthi fighters – each on Israel and on business ships within the Red Sea – have stoked fears of a wider battle within the area already affected by the conflict in Gaza.
On Tuesday, a British warship shot down seven drones launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi fighters in an operation with US forces to repel the biggest drone and missile assault thus far.
The assault got here regardless of a warning by the United States, the UK and different companions issued per week in the past to the group to finish the focusing on of economic transport or “bear the responsibility of the consequences”.
Earlier, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps accused Iran of meddling and declared “enough is enough” – hinting that the UK could possibly be able to strike.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken additionally warned that “there will be consequences” for the continued Houthi assaults within the Red Sea.
Holding a last-minute night cupboard assembly is an uncommon step.
Sky News’s deputy political editor Sam Coates stated: “Downing Street haven’t formally briefed why this call is happening, but a cabinet meeting only happens at short notice when there’s a moment of national importance.”
Sir William Patey, a former ambassador to a number of international locations within the Middle East, additionally informed Sky News: “You don’t hold an emergency cabinet meeting unless you’re considering a military response.
“The Americans have clearly put some army choices on the desk and have invited us to take part.”
Sky News understands that Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has also been called to a briefing in Whitehall tonight.
Starmer to be briefed on cabinet call
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey are also to be briefed by the government shortly after the cabinet call, it is understood.
Veteran left wing MP John McDonnell said if military action is decided, it should not go ahead “with out Parliamentary approval”.
He added: “If we’ve got learnt something in recent times it is that army intervention within the Middle East at all times has harmful & typically unexpected penalties. There is a danger of setting the area alight.”
Read More: Why are the Houthis attacking ships within the Red Sea?
It comes because the US confirmed a twenty seventh Houthi assault on worldwide transport since 19 November.
The assault occurred at 2am Yemen time within the Gulf of Aden.
No accidents or harm had been reported, however in a televised briefing a spokesperson for the US army confirmed that UK and US forces downed 18 one-way assault drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile.
Brigadier General Pat Ryder stated “dozens” of economic ships had been working within the space on the time.
Asked if a change of strategy within the Red Sea needs to be anticipated, he stated he will not “telegraph, forecast or speculate on any potential future operations”.
But he added: “I think that statement from multiple nations when it comes to the fact that there will be consequences, should the attacks not stop, speaks for itself. And I’ll just leave it at that.”
Sir William stated that given the Houthis have ignored warnings to cease attacking transport, persevering with to intercept drones isn’t “in the long term very feasible”.
Read extra:
What the Red Sea battleground means for UK customers
Gaza residents say the ‘struggling of individuals is large’
He stated: “I’m sure that the Americans, Brits, and other members of the international coalition will be considering whether there are feasible targets that can be struck in Houthi-run territory of Yemen that are viable.”
However he stated that a problem prior to now has been discovering viable targets, which he defines as bases the place missiles are launched from or saved.
The US particularly is underneath stress to re-establish correct deterrents towards the Houthi rebels.
Concerns are rising concerning the international financial affect of the disruption to transport via the important Red Sea, with vessels selecting to divert, pushing up the price of commerce and probably inflicting inflation to rise.
The Houthis, a bunch of Shia Islamists based mostly in western Yemen, oppose US and Israeli affect within the Middle East – with its slogan containing the phrases “death to America”, “death to Israel” and a “curse upon the Jews”.
Content Source: information.sky.com