Further action in response to Houthi attacks on world shipping

Last night, British forces conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against eight Houthi targets in Yemen, to protect global trade and innocent lives.

• The Houthis’ have now conducted more than 30 dangerous attacks against commercial shipping since mid-November, as well as a direct attack against British and American warships in the Red Sea. This cannot stand.

• The attacks by Houthi militants on international shipping passing through one of the world's busiest trade routes have mostly been directed against harmless merchant ships which had nothing whatsoever to do with the war in Gaza. The Houthis are indiscriminately attacking merchant ships of all nationalities, most of which are not bound for Israel and even including shipping belonging to countries allied to their own Iranian allies, such as the Russian Federation.

• That is why yesterday, alongside the US and other International Partners, Britain conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against eight Houthi targets in Yemen. The threats to shipping must cease and the British government remains prepared to back words with actions.