Rishi Sunak defends ‘limited, proportionate’ strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen

In a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon, prime minister Rishi Sunak defended the strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen as “limited” and “proportionate”, informing the House they were made in “self defence”.

He told MPs: “It was a necessary and proportionate response to a direct threat to UK vessels and therefore to the UK itself.

“And Mr. Speaker, let me be absolutely clear why the Royal Navy is in the Red Sea. They are there as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, protecting freedom of navigation as a fundamental tenet of international law. So, Mr. Speaker, the threats to shipping must cease illegally detained vessels and crews must be released”.

He added: “In dangerous times we are investing in defence, hardening our critical infrastructure, building our alliances, and we are resolute in our principles international security, the rule of law and freedom to determine your own future”.

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