Latest US-UK strikes on Houthis in Yemen were self-defence - Sunak

1. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tells Parliament the latest US-UK strikes in Houthis in Yemen were "self defence"
2. The US and UK hit eight targets overnight, following another set of raids earlier this month
3. Sunak says the UK and US acted "in line with international law, in self defence, and in response to an immediate threat"
4. He says there is an "ongoing and imminent threat" from the Houthis
5. And he also says there is "no link" between the actions in the Red Sea and Israel's war in Gaza
6. Responding to Sunak, Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer says Labour backs the UK's military action
7. The UK says the Houthis have launched 12 attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in the past 10 days alone
8. The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting ships they say are linked to Israel and the West
9. Iran's foreign minister says the country has warned the US that their strikes in Yemen are a "strategic mistake"

Thanks for following our coverage

Gem O'Reilly

Live reporter

US Navy handout/EPA

The Houthis have said they will retaliate

It's just past 18:00 in Yemen and 15:00 here in London, where our team has been bringing you latest on the second round of US-UK missile strikes on the Houthis.

Here's a summary of what's happened in the last 24 hours:

• The US and UK said they hit eight Houthis targets overnight, after attacks in the Red Sea continued following their last joint operation

• UK PM Rishi Sunak updated MPs in the House of Commons, saying the strikes were carried out "in line with international law and self-defence," adding that the UK is "not seeking confrontation"

• The Houthis, who say they have been targeting ships linked to Israel and the West, vowed to retaliate

• Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said the country has given a warning to the US that their strikes in Yemen are a "strategic mistake

This live page was brought to you by Nathan Williams, Jake Lapham, Rachel Russell, Aoife Walsh and me. Follow more of our coverage here.

Keir Starmer told about strikes as they were happening, Downing Street says

We're getting some new information around the timeline and political mechanics involved in last night's strikes.

It has now emerged Labour leader, Keir Starmer, was informed about the UK's involvement in the strikes while they were happening at about 22:00 GMT, according to Downing Street.

The PM's spokesman set out the timeline of yesterday evening's events at a regular briefing for journalists. Rishi Sunak spoke to US President Biden and there was a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, before the strikes.

Then, at about 22:00, while British fighter jets were in the air, the rest of the Cabinet, the leader of the opposition and the Commons Speaker were told.

What's been the impact of Houthi attacks on ships?

The Houthis began attacking merchant vessels in November, saying they were responding to Israel's military operation in Gaza.

However, many of the vessels which have been targeted have no connection with Israel.

US-led naval forces have thwarted many of the attacks. But they have still resulted in major shipping companies stopping using the Red Sea - through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes - and using a much longer route around southern Africa instead.

Read more on this here.

.

'There will have to be further strikes' - retired UK general

'There will have to be further strikes on the Houthis'

General Sir Richard Barrons, a retired Joint Forces commander, predicts that the Houthi attacks are likely "rumble on".

He tells BBC Radio 4's World at One this is because "Houthi defiance is unlikely to diminish".

Yemen strikes are lawful, advice to UK government says

The UK government has just published legal advice it received for last night's strikes in Yemen.

It reaches the same conclusion as the previous operation on January 11 - the strikes are legal under international law.

"Military intervention to strike carefully identified targets in order to effectively downgrade the Houthi’s capabilities and deter further attacks was lawfully taken," the advice says.

"It was necessary and proportionate to respond to attacks by the Houthis and this was the only feasible means available to deal with such attacks."

It goes onto say the action was in self-defence, and was the "only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack".

What's happened since the last joint US-UK strikes?

EPA

The Malta-flagged, Greek-owned 'Zografia' bulk carrier was targeted by the Houthis on January 16

After weeks of warnings, the US and UK carried out their first set of joint strikes on Houthi targets on 11 January. Let's look at what's happened since then:

• 15 January: Houthis strike US-owned dry bulk ship in the Gulf of Aden with anti-ship missile, but no injuries or significant damage are reported
• 16 January: A Malta-flagged bulk carrier is hit by a missile in the Red Sea. Shell suspends Red Sea shipments amid fears of attack
• 17 January: US relists Houthis as a terrorist group
• 18 January: Houthis claim responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on a US-owned tanker
• 22 January: Houthis say they attacked a US military cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, but the claims are denied by Washington

The US has also carried out several unilateral strikes against Houthi targets since 11 January.

Wide political support for action against Houthis

Henry Zeffman

Chief political correspondent

There’s no sign at all in the House of Commons that the consensus between the Conservative and Labour leaderships on how to deal with the Houthis is weakening.

Sir Keir Starmer began his response to Rishi Sunak’s statement by backing last night’s strikes and saying that the House of Commons “must stand united and strong”. He pressed Sunak for more detail on several elements of the US-UK strikes, but praised the broader diplomatic approach the government has adopted in the region.

The prime minister, in turn, praised Starmer for “asking all the right questions”.

Labour on Houthi strikes: We back this targeted action

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, and Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, were slightly more sceptical about the government’s approach, but still supported the strikes.

Perhaps the biggest indication that there are few MPs who disagree with the government’s approach was how much green leather was visible in the chamber: the Commons was fairly busy, but not exactly stuffed.

If it turns out to be the case that the UK is entering a prolonged period of strikes on the Houthis - and that is not a given - Sunak is doing so with wide, cross-party political support.

Recap: What did we hear from Sunak?

Sunak on Houthis strikes: We're not seeking confrontation

We've just heard from Rishi Sunak as he addressed MPs about the strikes on Houthi positions carried out by US and UK forces last night.

• The prime minister said the strikes were carried out "in line with international law, in self-defence, and in response to an immediate threat" and that the targets were carefully selected.
• He said that the UK is "not seeking confrontation" but that "inaction is also a choice".
• Labour leader Keir Starmer told the House that his party supported the strikes, though asked the government to set out more evidence that the strikes were proving effective.
• He also asked what work was being done to enlarge the coalition of countries supporting the strikes.
• Sunak thanked Sir Keir for his support and said that the "initial evidence from last night is that all our intended targets were destroyed".
• He added that efforts to broaden the coalition of support for the action were ongoing and that the government would publish the legal advice it has received regarding the strikes.

UK has given Yemen 'a billion pounds in aid since 2014' - PM

Conservative MP for Bournemouth East Tobias Ellwood is now asking about governance issues in Yemen.

Rishi Sunak says the government wants an "inclusive political settlement" in Yemen.

He says the UK has given around "a billion pounds in aid" to Yemen since the conflict began in 2014.

Cameron to visit Middle East this week, PM says

Labour MP Imran Hussain says the PM's desire for a two-state solution is not shared by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sunak says Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron will be in the region this week and adds that his government is absolutely committed to a two-state solution.

'We want lasting peace for Yemeni people'

Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin says the Houthis currently have a safe haven to operate from in Yemen and says the question is how to "deal with an ungoverned space".

Sunak says that the Houthis behaviour is damaging the people of Yemen and that the government is speaking to Saudi Arabia about how a "lasting peace and security for the Yemeni people" could be achieved.

Military action sits alongside diplomatic strategy, says Sunak

Labour MP for Halton Derek Twigg is now asking Rishi Sunak if he has a "plan B" to counter Houthi attacks.

Sunak says the UK is working with its allies, and putting pressure on the group in different ways.

He says its important "military action is not seen in isolation... it sits alongside a wider diplomatic and economic strategy".

What are the next steps and what is success? asks Lib Dem's Davey

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says his party accepts the case for the strikes but adds that "there is remarkably little clarity about what the next steps are and when the UK's objectives will be judged to have been fulfilled".

He also asks Sunak to give more information about how he plans to avoid regional escalation and to clarify whether MPs will be given the opportunity to vote on the strikes.

"What is escalatory is the Houthis ramping up attacks on commercial shipping... and warships," says Sunak.

He adds that military action was a "last resort" and that the Houthi have the ability to prevent further strikes by stopping their attacks.

Ex-foreign secretary Raab questions plan for possible escalation

Former foreign secretary Dominic Raab asks if planning has been done in the event Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are followed by attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guard in the Persian gulf

Sunak says the UK has assets in the region and is working with allies to protect freedom of navigation.

Diplomacy will have to play a part, he adds.

Kearns asks about strategy to deal with Iran proxies

Addressing the House now is Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee of MPs.

She asks about the strategic approach to reduce the threat from Iranian proxies, such as the Houthis but also other groups.

"The behaviour of the Iranian regime... poses a significant threat to the safety of the United Kingdom and our allies," Sunak replies.

SNP's Flynn: Why are we confident Houthis will get the message?

Leader of the SNP in Westminster Stephen Flynn says it is fair for the government to take action to defend the right to freedom of navigation.

However, he says the Houthis have been under constant bombardment from Saudi Arabia. They didn't get that message why are we so confident they will get this message, he asks.

In the meantime, he says Gaza is being destroyed and asks what is the government's strategy across the region.

Sunak replies that to do nothing would be a choice - the wrong choice - but agrees that military action should sit within a broader strategy.

Will this be a prolonged campaign? asks senior Tory MP

Conservative MP Jeremy Quin, who chairs the defence select committee, put it to Sunak that, in order to protect civilian shipping, this may need to be a prolonged campaign.

Sunak says that "no decision has been taken to embark on a sustained campaign" and that "these were limited strikes".

He adds that "we do reserve the right to take action in self defence".

Initial evidence shows all intended targets destroyed - Sunak

Rishi Sunak is back on his feet responding to questions from Labour's Keir Starmer.

"He raises all the right questions about the action today," Sunak says of Starmer.

Responding first to Starmer's question about the necessity of the air strikes, Sunak says further evidence after his initial statement last week demonstrated the first set of strikes was successful in degrading Houthi capacity.

"Initial evidence from last night is that all our intended targets were destroyed," he says.

Sunak foreshadows discussions with "partners" about broadening action.

He says the government is also about to publish legal advice it has received regarding the strikes.

Starmer is right to highlight the "malign influence" of Iran, Sunak says, adding that the government is "alive to that risk".

WATCH: Sunak says maximum care taken to protect civilians

Sunak: 'Maximum care was taken to protect civilians'

Starmer asks: What work is being done to enlarge the coalition of countries supporting the strikes?

He also wants to know how the UK is helping the people of Yemen who he says have suffered terribly.

The Labour leader wants to know if the government will be proscribing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards - the IRGC - set up over 40 years ago to defend Iran's Islamic revolution and now one of the most powerful paramilitary organisations in the Middle East.

Starmer rejects claims the Houthi attacks are linked to the conflict in Gaza and says there needs to be a sustainable ceasefire and a decisive step to a two-state solution.

"Palestinian statehood not in the gift of a neighbour, but an inalienable right," he says.