Houthi attacks – live: UK and US launch strikes against rebel group as explosion heard in Yemen

The United States and the UK have started carrying out strikes against targets linked to Houthis in Yemen, four U.S. officials have told Reuters.

There have also been reports of three explosions in Yemen’s capital Sana’a.

It would be the first time strikes have been launched against the Iran-backed group since it started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year.

In what was the 26th attack since 19 November, 21 missiles and drones were fired at warships and commercial vessels near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the southern bottleneck of the Red Sea.

The attack came despite a planned United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote later on Wednesday to potentially condemn and demand an immediate halt to the attacks by the Houthis, who say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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Earlier on Thursday, Rishi Sunak discussed the Red Sea attacks and said the UK would continue to “take action to defend freedom of navigation and protect lives at sea” when he spoke with the President of Egypt on Thursday afternoon, No 10 said.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi this afternoon.

“They discussed the concerning rise in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the disruptive impact on global shipping, including through the Suez Canal. The Prime Minister said the UK would continue to take action to defend freedom of navigation and protect lives at sea.

“The Prime Minister thanked President Sisi for his continued support on the humanitarian and diplomatic effort in Gaza, including on joint work to secure the release of British hostages and those with links to the UK.

“They agreed on the importance of significantly scaling up the aid reaching Palestinians in Gaza to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis.

“The Prime Minister said the UK was urging Israel to open more land crossings and to allow in far greater quantities of aid, up to 500 trucks a day.”

Rishi Sunak is facing calls to recall Parliament if the UK Government is preparing to take military action against Houthi rebels before Monday.

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “If the UK plans to take military action, it’s vital there is a vote in Parliament.

“The Prime Minister must make arrangements for a recall of Parliament if strikes are planned before Monday.

“The Liberal Democrats are very concerned by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

“It’s destabilising for regional security and has a detrimental impact on cost of living in the UK too as ships are diverted.”

Rishi Sunak held a full Cabinet call on Thursday evening amid mounting speculation that UK and Western allies could take action against Houthi rebels following attacks in the Red Sea.

The meeting was set to begin at around 7.45pm after Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned his message to the Iranian-backed group was “watch this space” if disruption continues in the key global shipping route. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron was seen entering No 10 shortly before 8pm.

Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary John Healey will be briefed after the call, it is understood, while Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle was seen arriving at the Cabinet Office.

The Prime Minister used a conversation with the Egyptian president earlier on Thursday to discuss the disruption and emphasise that Britain would continue to “take action to defend freedom of navigation and protect lives at sea”, No 10 said.

It comes after UK and US naval forces destroyed “multiple attack drones” deployed by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, believed to be the largest attack yet from the Yemen-based force.

Mr Shapps has warned further action would be taken if attacks persist, amid growing global concern about the disruption in the key global shipping route.

He also said he believed the Houthis, a Shiite group which has held Yemen’s capital since 2014, were acting with the support of Iran.