LONDON: Early Friday, US and British air strikes targeted Houthi positions in Yemen, responding to recent attacks on Red Sea shipping. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak justified the strikes as “necessary and proportionate” in a statement, emphasizing that despite international warnings, the Houthi rebels persisted in attacking the Red Sea.
“We have taken limited, necessary, and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping,” Sunak declared. The joint operation aimed to curb Houthi aggression in the region.
US President Joe Biden echoed the sentiment, describing the strikes as “defensive” and issued a warning of further measures if the Iran-backed rebels continued their attacks on Red Sea shipping. Support for the operation came from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, providing non-operational assistance.
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In recent weeks, Houthi rebels intensified attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a critical waterway handling 12 percent of global trade. Al-Massirah, the Houthi television channel, reported that the air strikes targeted the capital Sanaa, as well as the cities of Hodeida and Saada.
This week, US and British forces successfully intercepted 18 drones and three missiles in a complex Iranian-designed attack by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps revealed that four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets participated in Friday’s strikes alongside US forces.
Prime Minister Sunak condemned the Houthi actions as “irresponsible” and “destabilizing,” attributing their attacks to the rising commodity prices. He asserted the UK’s commitment to defending freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade, emphasizing the need to curb Houthi aggression in the interest of global stability.
