In a joint effort, the UK and US have conducted a fresh series of airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi rebels in an ongoing attempt to curb their attacks.
The move follows recent US airstrikes on Houthi military sites and the UK’s participation in an initial joint-strike operation earlier this month.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps justified the latest strikes as a measure of “self-defence” aimed at dealing another blow to the Iranian-backed militants.
Shapps highlighted the persistent Houthi threats to shipping in the Red Sea, stating that the attacks posed a significant threat to global maritime trade.
The US Central Command shared a video on social media showcasing the moment the forces launched the attacks, which targeted missile systems, launchers, air defence systems, radars and weapons storage facilities.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the involvement of four Royal Air Force Typhoons and two Voyager tankers in the operation.
Highlighting a commitment to avoiding civilian casualties, the MoD stated that a thorough analysis was conducted before the strikes.
The Houthis’ media office acknowledged the attacks, stating that American and UK raids targeted Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. This second joint operation comes after one on January 11, when more than 60 targets in 28 locations were hit.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden, in a Monday evening conversation, agreed to continue efforts alongside international partners to deter and disrupt Houthi attacks. A joint statement by several countries, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK and the US, described the strikes as “proportionate and necessary”.
The statement outlined the mission’s focus on Houthi underground storage sites and locations related to missile and air surveillance capabilities.
It emphasised the international community’s commitment to upholding the rules-based order, protecting freedom of navigation and holding the Houthis accountable for their attacks on mariners and commercial shipping.
While the Western allies insisted that the strikes are not escalatory, tensions in the Middle East persist with the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza. The Houthis, a Shia rebel group in control of Sanaa since 2014, have been at war with a Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s exiled government since 2015.
The latest operation raises questions about the need for parliamentary consultation over military actions, as neither Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer nor Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle were reportedly briefed about the operation. The situation adds to the ongoing debate about the necessity of consulting Parliament on matters of military intervention.
The UK Government’s response, similar to the previous joint mission, will be closely watched, as the international community remains focused on the developments in Yemen and the broader implications for regional stability.
