Erdogan says U.S., British strikes on Houthis disproportionate

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday slammmed the U.S. and British strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen as a disproportionate use of force and accused the two countries of trying to turn the Red Sea into a "sea of blood".

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after Friday prayers, Erdogan said Ankara was hearing from various channels that Houthi forces were carrying out a "successful defence" against the United States and Britain.

U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines struck across Yemen overnight in retaliation for attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on Red Sea shipping, a widening of regional conflict triggered by Israel's war in Gaza.