FURTHER STRIKES LAUNCHED ON HOUTHIS IN YEMEN - JOINT GOVERNMENTS STATEMENT

The US and UK (with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands) conducted large-scale air and missile strikes on Houthi rebel facilities (eight targets) across Yemen overnight, according to a joint statement, stepping up operations against the militant group as it vows to continue attacking ships in the Red Sea.

Read the statement issued by the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands here:

"These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi actions since our coalition strikes on January 11, including anti-ship ballistic missile and unmanned aerial system attacks that struck two U.S.-owned merchant vessels.

Today’s strike specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities.

The Houthis’ now more than thirty attacks on international and commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Recognizing the broad consensus of the international community, we again acted as part of a coalition of like-minded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order, protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce, and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on mariners and commercial shipping.

Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats."