UK Says Strikes on Houthi Military Targets Were Self Defense

Members of the Yemen Coast Guard patrol the Red Sea -File Photo: AFP

US and British strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen were a limited act of self defense and London does not immediately plan any further missions, its junior defense minister said on Friday.

The two countries launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships in the Red Sea since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in October.

British Armed Forces minister James Heappey said the strikes were a proportionate response, and that the government was aware of the need to avoid escalation in the region.

"Our action and the action of the Americans last night was in self defense in order to defend against further attacks on our warships as they go about their legal and reasonable business," Heappey told Times Radio.

"Of course we have an eye on the need to make sure it doesn't cause a regional escalation."

Asked about possible further missions in a separate interview with the BBC, he said : "There are none immediately planned, and that's an important point. Last night was a limited, proportionate, necessary response."

The remarks echoed a statement by US President Joe Biden, who said the strikes were "targeted" and that he would not hesitate to take further action if needed, Reuters reported.

British jets were launched from a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus and struck two targets that had been involved in launching drones and missiles into the Red Sea, Heappey said.

An initial assessment showed the strikes at 2330 GMT on Thursday were successful and the jets had returned to base around 0300 GMT on Friday, he added.

Heappey said the warning to the Houthis remained in place and that the government would see over the next few days whether the attacks in the Red Sea stop.

Asked about criticism from some political opponents that parliament was not given the chance to discuss the strikes in advance, Heappey said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak needed to make such decisions "based on the military, strategic and operational requirements - that led to the timing."

He said parliament would be given an opportunity to debate "these things" when in session.

Meanwhile, the attack sparked international reactions by several countries. For its part, Germany said on Friday that overnight strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen by Britain and the United States were meant to prevent further attacks.
"Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea," wrote the German Foreign ministry on social media platform X.

Also, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said the US-British action is based on the right of self-defense, aims to protect free passage and is focused on de-escalation.

However, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the airstrikes, saying they "are another example of the Anglo-Saxons' perversion of UN Security Council resolutions."
Zakharova said the strikes showed a "complete disregard for international law" and were "escalating the situation in the region".
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kannani also denounced the attacks, saying "they are a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of international laws."

"These attacks will only contribute to insecurity and instability in the region.”