The West and the Houthi rebels – January 2024

Breaking news on 12 January:

Britain and US launch air strikes on Houthi rebels

An explosion in Hodeidah in western Yemen. CREDIT: SKY NEWS

The Royal Air Force has launched targeted strikes against military bases used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Rishi Sunak saying the UK will “always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade”.

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January 13

Britain has warned Iran that the world is “running out of patience” as the US launched a fresh air strike against Houthi rebels on Saturday morning. It comes after American and British forces attacked 60 sites controlled by Tehran-backed Houthis on Thursday night. In an interview with The Telegraph, Grant Shapps said the Iranian regime must tell the Houthis and other Middle Eastern proxies to “cease and desist”, warning that a “limit has been truly crossed”. It was revealed on Friday that France failed to sign a statement of support for the air strikes, while US military figures were left “frustrated” when news of Houthi attacks was leaked. The Telegraph can reveal that Britain’s aircraft carriers are not ready to be sent to the Red Sea because of the recruitment crisis engulfing the Armed Forces.

January 14:

UK ready to strike Houthis again Britain stands prepared to carry out further strikes on Houthi targets if commercial and military vessels continue to come under attack in the Red Sea, Lord Cameron has warned. Writing for The Telegraph, the Foreign Secretary said that if the Houthis, who control much of Yemen, are permitted to “deny passage to ships, vital supply chains are threatened and prices will go up in Britain and across the globe”. On Saturday, pro-Palestine demonstrators in London chanted their support for Houthi attacks. Cameron: UK ready to strike Houthis again if Red Sea attacks continue

Britain and US launch air strikes on Houthi rebels Following a day of frenetic behind-the-scenes activity in Whitehall, British and American forces last night launched strikes against Houthi military bases in Yemen. The US Air Force said that more than 60 targets had been struck in 16 different locations. You can follow the latest developments on our live blog here.

‘Houthis may see strikes as helpful to their cause’ The Iran-backed Houthis have refused to listen to threats of military action for weeks. James Rothwell and Tony Diver report that the group could see a US-led series of strikes as beneficial, burnishing their status as international actors and drawing support for their cause from across the Arab world.

Why the Houthis’ advanced arsenal means this fight could be long and tough Our Asia Correspondent Nicola Smith states that analysts have warned that the West may face a protracted fight from a determined opponent in Yemen, as Iran’s funding of the group has given them ‘significant maritime strike capability’.

Rishi Sunak has warned the Houthis of further Western airstrikes, after a missile from the rebel group hit a US-owned ship near Yemen.

Sunak warns Houthis after fresh missile attack

Challenged in parliament on further military action, the Prime Minister said: “Of course we will not hesitate to protect our security, our people and our interests.” This statement comes after a missile from the rebel group hit a US-owned ship near Yemen.

• Yemen | US fighter jet downs Houthi Missiles