Strikes against Houthi rebel sites in Yemen are “necessary and proportionate” to protect the global shipping in the Red Sea, Rishi Sunak has said.
The UK and US launched targeted strikes on military facilities overnight.
Mr Sunak said the action against the Iranian-backed group, who he accuses of threatening UK ships, was in “self-defence”.
In response, Houthi officials have warned the UK and US will “pay a heavy price”.
The US-led strikes are the first against the Houthi militia since it started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea last year.
The Houthis control much of Yemen and say they are supporting Hamas by targeting ships heading to Israel.
More than 60 targets at 16 locations used by the Houthi rebels in Yemen were struck, the US Air Force said.
Speaking early on Friday morning, Mr Sunak accused the Houthi rebels of threatening UK and international ships and causing major disruption to the trade route.
“Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week, ” the prime minister said.
“This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.”
He added that the UK had “taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain”.
The aim of the action was “to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping”, Mr Sunak said. (BBC)
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