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The United Kingdom will not send ground troops into combat against Houthi militants in Yemen, emphasizing a strategy focused on air strikes to diminish the group’s threats to maritime security.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said, “Let’s be absolutely clear from the start. We have no plans whatsoever to put boots on the ground,” during an interview in Abu Dhabi. Dowden explained the rationale behind the UK’s military strategy, noting that the air strikes are “aimed at reducing the Houthis’ ability to threaten vessels in the Red Sea and not at ousting the group.”

In addition to military actions, the UK is pursuing economic measures against the Houthis, with Dowden expressing confidence in the combined strategy: “We need to tighten the pressure on the Houthis because at the root of this lies a commitment from the United Kingdom to ensure stability and free trade of goods and movement.”

Despite the UK and US’s concerted efforts, gaining widespread Arab support for the campaign has proven challenging. Meanwhile, the Houthis continue to launch attacks in the Red Sea, highlighting the ongoing threat they pose.

Dowden also called the situation in the Middle East “fragile and dangerous” and advocated for restraint from all sides.