US launches second strike against Houthi rebels using Tomahawk missiles
The United States has carried out further strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels to decrease their ability to attack merchant ships.
More American attacks were carried out just a day after Thursday night's joint strikes by the UK and the US who have both vowed to protect ships in the Red Sea that had been attacked and harassed by rebel forces.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the United Kingdom and the US acted "in self-defence" and that their Armed Forces would not hesitate to ensure the safety of commercial shipping.
Military facilities used by rebels were bombed in response to militant attacks on ships.
"The attacks by Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea must stop," said the UK representative to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has urged Iran to de-escalate tensions.
"Iran has an important part to play here and needs to understand that it needs to be clearer with its many proxies in the region that no good can come from this and everyone loses if they carry on going down this track."
He also warned that the world is "running out of patience" with the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels.
US Central Command said in a statement: "At 3:45am (Sana’a time) on 13 January, US forces conducted a strike against a Houthi radar site in Yemen.
"This strike was conducted by the USS Carney (DDG 64) using Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and was a follow-on action on a specific military target associated with strikes taken on 12 January designed to degrade the Houthi’s ability to attack maritime vessels, including commercial vessels.
"Since 19 November 2023, Iranian-backed Houthi militants have attempted to attack and harass vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden 28 times."
Yemen's Houthis claim strikes by Britain and the United States have had "no significant impact" on their ability to target commercial ships in the Red Sea.
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