UK’s Cameron heads to Oman to discuss Houthi attacks, Red Sea escalation

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron is traveling Tuesday to Oman, where he will discuss with his counterpart Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi de-escalating the conflict in the Gaza Strip and growing tension in the Red Sea. The trip is his fourth visit to the Middle East since assuming the role in November. 

Cameron, a former UK prime minister, will begin his trip in Oman but will make other stops in the region, according to a statement from the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The FCDO would not share a detailed timetable of his trip.

The Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea will be one of the main talking points of his meetings, the FCDO said. In response to the attacks, which have increased since mid-November in what the Iran-backed rebels say is a retaliation to Israel’s assault on Gaza, the United Kingdom and United States have carried out several airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Houthis have vowed to continue the attacks on ships.

On his trip this week, Cameron will also reiterate with regional leaders Britain’s call for an immediate pause in fighting in Gaza to allow much more aid into the enclave and the hostages out, to start to progress toward a sustainable cease-fire, the FCDO said.