Rishi Sunak has justified the UK’s involvement in the airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying they were a necessary response to a “direct threat to UK vessels”. The prime minister also dismissed the claims that the airstrikes – carried out in coordination with the US – were a sign of the UK joining the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In his first address to the House of Commons since authorising the military action, he reiterated that the UK had to act swiftly and decisively to counter the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
“I do not take decisions on the use of force lightly. That’s why I stress this action was taken in self-defence. It was necessary and not escalatory,” he told MPs.
He said the airstrikes followed nearly 30 incidents of aggression from the Yemeni rebel group – including one that targeted British and US warships on January 9.
“They fired on our ships and our sailors, it was the biggest attack on our navy for decades, and so we acted,” he said.
“We did so in self-defence… and to uphold freedom of navigation as Britain has always done.”
Mr Sunak added that all the targets in Friday’s attack were successfully hit in the “limited strikes” and there was no indication of any civilian casualties.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the Houthi attacks and warned that if they were not stopped, “they could lead to a devastating rise in the cost of food in some of the poorest countries”.
The airstrikes came shortly after a US-owned ship travelling south of Yemen was struck by a missile.
The M/V Gibraltar Eagle, which was south east of Aden, was hit on its port side from above. It was carrying steel.
The US’s Central Command, which oversees its Middle East forces, said the ship “has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey”.
Ambrey, a British maritime security group, said the strike “targeted US interests in response to US military strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen” and reported that a fire broke out on board but nobody was injured and the vessel was seaworthy.
Vessel owner Eagle Bulk said: “As a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area.
“All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured. The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products.”
It was hit by one of three missiles fired by the Houthis. The other two missed their targets.
The ship had no connection to Israel, the group said.
