In a statement to Members of Parliament (MPs), UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made it clear that the UK would not hesitate to take additional military action against Houthi targets in Yemen if the group continues to carry out attacks in the Red Sea. While Sunak emphasized that the UK is not seeking confrontation with the Iran-backed group, he affirmed their commitment to act in self-defense.

The Prime Minister's remarks come in the wake of recent joint strikes carried out by the UK and the US in Yemen. On Monday night, four RAF Typhoons and two Voyager tankers participated in a second wave of joint US-UK action against the Houthis, following similar raids conducted on January 11th. These airstrikes targeted two military sites used to support attacks on shipping north of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, resulting in the destruction of all intended targets. Sunak assured MPs that maximum care was taken to protect civilians during the strikes, and no civilian casualties have been reported.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed support for the "targeted action" taken by the UK, while Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle were briefed during the operation. The Houthis have been launching a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November, claiming to be targeting ships linked to Israel in response to military operations in Gaza. However, many of the vessels targeted by the Houthis have no connection to Israel.

The Houthis, who have held control over significant portions of Yemen for the past decade, possess a large arsenal of missiles and drones and show no signs of halting their attacks on shipping in the region. The US and UK find themselves compelled to continue striking Houthi targets to prevent relinquishing control of this vital global shipping route to a proscribed terror group supported by Iran. The Houthis have vowed retaliation against US and British interests, believing they have divine backing.

Addressing concerns linking the UK's actions in the Red Sea to the situation in Israel and Gaza, Sunak firmly stated that no such link exists. He warned that those who make such associations are inadvertently aiding the Houthis in their cause. The ongoing attacks by the Houthis have persisted despite eight US-led airstrikes this year alone.

Sunak emphasized that the latest British military action aimed to degrade the Houthi capability, although he acknowledged that there might be a distinction between reducing and eliminating the threat. He assured MPs that targets were chosen based on intelligence and military sites that pose a threat to the security and safety of seafarers and shipping. The Prime Minister affirmed that the strikes were being carried out effectively to achieve their objective.

Sunak reiterated that military action against the Houthis was a last resort, taken only after repeated warnings were ignored. The UK's objective is to halt the illegal sale of weapons to the Houthis and impose sanctions to cut off their financial resources. The government remains committed to protecting innocent lives and safeguarding the freedom of navigation in the region.

As the Houthis continue their attacks, the UK stands ready to respond in self-defense if necessary, while urging the group and their enablers to cease their illegal and unacceptable actions. The situation in Yemen remains precarious as the UK and its allies work to safeguard the Red Sea and protect maritime activity in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.