British and US troops strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen were retaliation for ‘illegal and reckless’ attacks on Red Sea ships

British and American strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen were in retaliation for “illegal and reckless” attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the government said tonight.

Britain and 24 countries, including the US, Germany and Australia, carried out new attacks on eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

“These attacks were intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis’ ability to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent sailors around the world, while avoiding escalation,” the statement said.