Rishi Sunak has warned Houthi rebels he will sanction more air strikes on Yemen if assaults go on being launched at shipping in the Red Sea.
The Prime Minister insisted he will “not hesitate to protect our security, our people and our interests” as he outlined why Britain joined the bombing raids.
Fighter jets, Navy destroyers and an US submarine fired on drone storage units, missile launch sites, airfields, ammunition supplies, production facilities and air defence systems.
Mr Sunak told MPs there were no civilian casualties and confirmed all 13 Houthi targets were destroyed.
He said: “I won’t speculate on future action, this was intended as limited single action, and we hope the Houthis will now step back and end their destabilising attacks. But we will not hesitate to protect our security, our people and our interests where required. And if we do so, we will follow the correct procedures.”
Mr Sunak rejected claims that ordering air strikes in Yemen could limit the prospect of peace.
He added: “I do have hope and that’s because as we and others take action to degrade and disrupt the capability of those who are malign actors in the region, that will actually give the space for positive voices to build the peace all of us want and to allow everyone to live side by side with dignity, security and opportunity.”
But Houthi rebels, who have vowed to continue attacking ships, struck an American vessel with a cruise missile yesterday afternoon.
The US cargo ship was not believed to have been significantly damaged – but it will prompt fears the air strikes have not got home their message.
The Prime Minister insisted the UK and the US acted in “self-defence”.
He added: “We should recognise the risks of inaction, because doing nothing would weaken international security and the rule of law.
“It would further damage the freedom of navigation and the global economy, and perhaps most importantly it would send a very dangerous message that British vessels and
British interests are fair game – and that is simply unacceptable.”
Mr Sunak warned of other threats, saying: “We will continue to keep in close contact with our allies to take all measures that we can to protect our people and ensure that the Iranians’ destabilising influence in the region is reduced to the best extent possible.”
The Prime Minister, amid warnings of growing global instability, is facing calls to increase defence spending.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told of the prospect of wars involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea in the next five years.
The Prime Minister replied: “I’m happy to reassure him that our intention is to increase defence spending from where it currently is up to 2.5% when circumstances allow.”
