A former Middle East adviser at the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall, has voiced concerns about the UK Armed Forces’ state of preparedness, highlighting the Navy’s particular neglect over the past three decades. This critique comes in the wake of recent incidents, including the targeting of the UK-registered cargo vessel Rubymar by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, an act that has heightened awareness around the UK’s military capacities. Sir Simon expressed his views on LBC, emphasizing the need for reinforced maritime, cyber, air, and land forces amidst a challenging global context.

The situation was further exacerbated by a report from the US Central Command, which detailed the attack on the Rubymar by Houthi rebels using two anti-ship ballistic missiles, causing significant damage and compelling the crew to abandon ship. This incident, coupled with the rebels’ ongoing resilience demonstrated through assaults on international shipping lanes and downing of high-value assets like an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, has underscored the pressing need for the UK to bolster its military capabilities.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels, amid a backdrop of regional conflict including Israel’s tensions with Hamas, have continued their campaign, maintaining control over parts of Yemen since 2014 and posing a credible threat to both regional stability and the global economy. Their ability to carry out guerrilla-style attacks, despite U.S.-led airstrikes, has proven challenging to counter. The recent actions by the Houthi rebels, including the assault on the Belize-flagged vessel Rubymar, have attracted international concern, emphasizing the urgent necessity for effective military readiness and a strategic response from the UK and its allies.

This call to action aims to address the longstanding issue of neglect within the UK Armed Forces and adapt to the evolving security demands posed by such regional threats.