In a live broadcast to the House of Commons, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that the recent strikes on Yemen were an act of self-defense in accordance with international law. Sunak stated that on January 23rd and 12th, the UK and the US acted “in accordance with international law, in self-defense, and in response to an immediate threat,” launching missile strikes on Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.
Prior to this, the US and the UK had targeted eight Houthi sites in Yemen.
Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Houthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea since October 2023. Drones and rockets are being used for these purposes.
The Houthis claim that their targets are only ships entering Israeli ports or those owned by individuals associated with Israel. However, their actions have begun to disrupt international shipping.
Several companies have announced that they will no longer send their vessels through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea and serves as a vital maritime route for the entire world.
On the night of January 12th, 2024, the US and the UK, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and Bahrain, carried out coordinated strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. US President Joe Biden referred to this action as a direct response to Houthi attacks on foreign vessels.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Sunak expressed the desire to halt arms supplies to the Houthis.
