UK says strikes against Houthi target were an act of self defence

Overnight strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen by Britain and the United States were an act of self defence, British Armed Forces minister James Heappey said on Friday, noting the need to avoid any regional escalation. "Our action and the action of the Americans last night was in self defence in order to defend against further attacks on our warships as they go about their legal and reasonable business," Heappey said.

Overnight strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen by Britain and the United States were an act of self defence, British Armed Forces minister James Heappey said on Friday, noting the need to avoid any regional escalation.

"Our action and the action of the Americans last night was in self defence in order to defend against further attacks on our warships as they go about their legal and reasonable business," Heappey said. The United States and Britain 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, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Heappey described the strikes as a proportionate response to the crisis in the Red Sea. "Of course we have an eye on the need to make sure it doesn't cause a regional escalation," he said.

He would not confirm whether more strikes were planned but said that the warning to the Houthis remained in place. "We'll see over the course of the next few days whether the attacks stop," he added.

Asked about criticism from some political opponents that parliament was not given the chance to discuss the military intervention in advance, Heappey said: "The prime minister needs to make decisions such as these based on the military, strategic and operational requirements - that led to the timing.

"Obviously parliament is not scheduled to speak today, but there will be an opportunity when parliament returns for these things to be fully discussed and debated."