Rishi Sunak & Joe Biden warn of MORE targeted military action against Houthi rebels in surge of Red Sea attacks
BRITAIN and America warned Houthi rebels they will strike Yemen again if “needed”.
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden used urgent talks this evening to discuss more action against terrorists crippling vital Red Sea shipping.
The PM and President warned further “targeted military action to degrade Houthi capabilities” is on the table.
During a call with the White House, No10 said the pair “paid tribute to the British and American personnel who are currently working closely together to uphold freedom of navigation and protect lives in the Red Sea".
The Prime Minister passed on his condolences on the death of two US Navy Seals confirmed today.
“The leaders condemned the surge in violent Houthi attacks on commercial ships transiting the area and undertook to continue efforts alongside international partners to deter and disrupt those attacks.
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“This includes work through the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian, putting diplomatic pressure on Iran to cease their support of Houthi activity and, as needed, targeted military action to degrade Houthi capabilities.”
More than 60 targets across 16 sites in Yemen were struck ten days ago in a joint US and UK operation.
Jets, warships and submarines were used in attacks on Yemen's capital Sanaa, as well as four other regions, Sadah, Hodeidah, Taiz, and Dhamar.
Command and control centres, munition stores, launching bases, production facilities and air defence radar systems were wiped out in the attacks, the US said.
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Over 100 precision-guided munitions were used to bomb the capital.
And the Ministry of Defence said four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager tanker, used Paveway IV guided bombs to unleash strikes on two Houthi facilities.
US intelligence yesterday claimed the Iranian-backed militants were trying to acquire more weapons.
After a dramatic escalation in the attacks against ships in the area, US officials told the rebel group are thought to be preparing for a strike on Western forces now.
The intel revealed the rebels have been carefully curating their plan of attack - pinpointing when the strikes would be ramped up and how they would gather the necessary weapons.
There are concerns the militants will receivin even more lethal weapons from Tehran in the weeks to come.
Earlier this month Brits were warned petrol prices would rise amid the attacks on the Red Sea shipping.
Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said: “The Houthis should be under no misunderstanding, we are committed to holding malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks because the situation in the Red Sea is serious.
“These attacks are unacceptable, they are destabilising.”
