Rishi Sunak
United States and British military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen early Friday in response to previous attacks on Red Sea commerce were necessary and proportionate, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
“Despite repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea”, Sunak, using an alternate spelling for the Houthis, said in a statement.
Sunak went on to say, “We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States… to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping”.
Sunak’s declaration follows remarks by US President Joe Biden concerning airstrikes against the Houthis, who control large sections of Yemen.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have increased their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a critical waterway through which 12 percent of global trade flows.
According to the Houthi television channel Al-Massirah, the air attacks targeted the capital Sanaa as well as the cities of Hodeida and Saada.
US and British military shot down 18 Houthi rebel drones and three missiles in the Red Sea this week in what Washington described as a complex Iranian-designed strike.
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted that four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets, together with US forces, took part in Friday’s raids against Houthi targets.
Sunak called the Houthi attacks irresponsible and destabilizing and said they were driving up commodity prices.
“The UK will always defend freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade”, the UK prime minister added.
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