BRITAIN’S threats to bomb the Yemeni Houthi movement for attacking Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea “pose a serious threat to world peace” and is “completely irresponsible,” anti-war campaigners warned today.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that the government would not hesitate to take “direct action” on the Iranian-backed forces after the US military said four boats from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen fired at the Maersk Hangzhou and got within metres of the vessel.

Britain and the US were reportedly preparing a joint statement to issue a final warning to the Houthis.

Stop The War Coalition’s Lindsey German said that the action would be “another potential escalation” in the Middle East, warning that it is “the last thing we need.”

She told the Star: “We have got Israel bombing Gaza on a daily basis with terrible consequences and so far the war hasn’t spread further than Palestine, but the truth is the Israelis are threatening to launch attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“We now have Mr Shapps bragging that Britain and the US are going to launch air strikes on the Houthis — it’s completely irresponsible.

“People might wonder what British and US ships are doing in the Middle East and they have to realise they are contributing to a very dangerous situation which may lead to a regional war.”

Communist Party international secretary Kevan Nelson said that these developments “pose a serious threat to world peace,” saying: “The global wave of solidarity with the Palestinian people is an essential antidote to the threat of a wider war.”

Pro-Palestinian activists yesterday vowed to target weapons manufacturers complicit in any attacks on Yemen.

“If Britain plans to bomb Yemen, Palestine Action will be ready to respond and target all weapons manufacturers complicit in attacks on Yemen and Palestine,” Palestine Action said on X.

A government spokesperson said: “The situation in the Red Sea is incredibly serious, and the Houthi attacks are unacceptable and destabilising.

“As you would expect, while planning is under way for a range of scenarios, no decisions have yet been made and we continue to pursue all diplomatic routes.”