London: The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, described the early-Friday airstrikes by the US and the UK against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to recent attacks on Red Sea shipping as “necessary and proportionate”.
Sunak, using a different spelling for the Houthis, stated in a statement that “the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea despite the repeated warnings from the international community.”
“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,” he said.
Sunak’s statement followed comments by US President Joe Biden about the strikes carried out against the Houthis, who control wide areas of Yemen.
The Houthis have stepped up attacks in recent weeks on shipping in the Red Sea, a vital waterway through which 12 percent of world trade flows.
Houthi television channel Al-Massirah said the air strikes hit the capital Sanaa as well as the cities of Hodeida and Saada.
US and British forces this week shot down 18 drones and three missiles fired by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea in what Washington called a “complex Iranian-designed” attack.
Four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets, along with US forces, participated in Friday’s strikes against Houthi targets, according to a tweet from UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
According to Sunak, the Houthi’s attacks are “driving up commodity prices” and their actions are “irresponsible” and “destabilising”.
“The UK will always defend freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade,” he stated.
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