Yousaf condemns missile strike and calls for de-escalation of conflict
Humza Yousaf has condemned Iran’s attack on Israel as he called for urgent de-escalation in the region.
The First Minister has urged rhe international community to “demand” players in the Middle East follow the United Nation’s Security Council resolutions.
His plea comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed UK RAF jets shot down Iranian drones after Tehran launched an attack on Israel in the early hours of Sunday.
The UK Government says it is committed to de-escalating tensions in the Middle East, describing the Iranian missile strike as a “significant attack” on Israel.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Yousaf said: “There is not going to be a military solution to the conflict we see in the Middle East, there is only going to be a political and diplomatic solution.
“We know that violence be gets violence and therefore it’s imperative now that the international community demand –not request, but demand–that all parties abide by UN security resolutions, such as a call for an immediate ceasefire.”
The first minister added :“we can’t afford to see any more loss of life, because innocent civilians have already had to pay far too high a price for the actions of a number of countries and therefore we need to see deescalation as opposed to further escalation in the region.”
The attack marks the first time a direct military assault has been launched by Tehran on Israel despite enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
According to the Israeli military, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel, fired from several countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Shadow Scotland minister Michael Shanks (pictured) said theukshouldh altar ms sales to Israel if they have been found to have broken international law. Earlier this week, foreign secretary Lord David Cameronsaid the UK would not halt arms sales to Israel by British companies after reviewing legal advice.
Britain supplied around £42 million worth of arms to Israel in 2022, but there have been mounting calls for this to be stopped, as it could make Britain complicit in genocide in Gaza.
Mr shanks would not confirm if labour would stop arms sales altogether, but said it was right this practice should be halted if Israel has broken international law. The MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West said: “Both [Scottish Labour leader] Anas [Sarwar] and [UK Labour leader Sir] Keir [Starmer] have clearly said if there is any evidence to suggest that, then we should stop arms sales. We need to find out what intelligence the UK government has got, and I expect there will be questions on this in the House of Commons.”
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK Government’s top priority must now be preventing any escalation of violence in the region.
She told the BBC: “We strongly condemn this attack by Iran on Israel. This is a reckless decision at a time when the international community has been urging restraint, because everyone’s concern is escalation into a wider regional conflict. It is really important that everything possible is done to prevent further escalations.”