British sailors could be in line for medals for supporting the Israeli genocide of Gaza. In a story that nearly slipped under the radar, a British minister (with links to military and private intelligence) told parliament of the plans.

On 13 October, Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley asked the Secretary of Defence:

if he will award medals to the crew of the HMS Diamond for their work during the period of November 2023 and July 2024.

But that day it was Labour veterans minister Louise Sandher-Jones who answered:

Medallic recognition for the operational activity undertaken by HMS Diamond during the period November 2023 and July 2024, is under consideration by the Ministry of Defence in accordance with the existing process.

Yemen attacks

But what was HMS Diamond doing between November 2023 and 2026?

Well, readers. HMS Diamond, a type-45 Royal Navy frigate, was taking on Houthi drones.

The UK Defence Journal says the vessel:

played a key role in international maritime operations following a series of Houthi attacks on commercial and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In fact:

In December 2023, Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen using its Sea Viper missile system, marking the first time in decades that a Royal Navy ship had engaged an aerial target in combat.

The Journals said:

the ship was credited with downing nine hostile drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile while providing protection to international shipping and allied vessels.

Anti-genocide operations

But why were Yemen’s Houthis firing at shipping? Well, a better question might be ‘whose shipping were they firing at?’

As the Canary reported at the time, the Houthis say they were targeting Israeli-owned and genocide-linked shipping in the Red Sea:

Since October 2023, the Houthis have carried out near-daily attacks against Israeli-linked commercial shipping in the Red Sea, as well as targeting Israeli infrastructure, such as air and sea ports. They have stepped up their campaign against the occupation since Israel broke the ceasefire in March, launching dozens of missiles and drones at it.

And why were they firing at said shipping? Well, the Houthis would claim they were trying to stop the Israeli genocide of Palestinians:

These attacks have been successful, with huge impacts on Israel. More than 100 commercial ships in the Red Sea have been targeted, resulting in costly detours and insurance hikes, and Eilat Port has been forced to reduce its operations by 90 percent.

Now the Canary isn’t in the habit of co-signing anyone’s missile strikes. But this really seems like an important detail. One which is absent from the parliamentary exchange above. And from the little coverage of that exchange in the press.

And all in all, the Houthis seem determined to keep harassing shipping despite a ceasefire agreement being in force in Gaza.

Sandher-Jones background

The story doesn’t stop there. Labour’s Sandher-Jones deserves attention too. She is one of a group of new ex-military MPs Keir Starmer steered into parliament with some fanfare. Starmer likes nothing more than being photographed close to military things and people.

Before becoming an MP, she served in military intelligence in Afghanistan. And later joined the private intelligence firm Mackenzie Intelligence Services (MIS).

MIS experts have regularly appeared in the media to discuss military and intelligence issues around Iran, Gaza and Syria.

The Canary is unaware of any timescale for medal awards for the sailors who engaged Houthi drones aimed at Israel or genocide-linked shipping. Rest assured, we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates.

Featured image via House of Commons/Roger Harris

By Joe Glenton

This post was originally published on Canary.