Rishi Sunak: Houthi attacks were taken in ‘self defense’

LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen were taken in “self-defense” as he faced MPs for the first time since taking military action on Friday.

Addressing MPs on Monday, Sunak insisted the strikes were a “necessary and proportionate response to a direct threat to U.K. vessels, and therefore to the U.K. itself,” but insisted it was “not escalatory.” 

Sunak was speaking shortly after Western officials confirmed a container ship sailing through Yemeni waters was struck by a rocket launched by Houthi fighters.

Updating MPs on Friday’s action, Sunak said all 13 planned targets hit had been destroyed, and there was “no evidence” that the British attacks had caused any civilian casualties.

The strikes were “unrelated” to wider conflicts in the Middle East, the British prime minister said, dismissing what he described as a “malign narrative” purported by Houthi rebels that their actions are related to the war in Gaza. “They target ships from around the world,” he insisted.

“We continue to work towards a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, and to get more aid to civilians,” he added. 

Sunak has been backed in taking action by Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition, who said the attacks by Houthis were “unacceptable, illegal and if left unaddressed could lead to a devastating rise in the cost of food in some of the poorest countries.”

Sunak’s statement came hours after Defense Secretary Grant Shapps used a Lancaster House speech to warn the Houthis had “persistently violated the law by menacing commercial vessels in the region,” and had been “dealt a blow.”