✕CloseAerial footage shows moment RAF Typhoon strikes Yemen military target
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A US-owned vessel has reported being damaged by a missile as it sailed 95 miles southeast of Yemen’s port city of Aden.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations says the master of the vessel claimed the boat was “hit from above by a missile”.
Maritime security company Ambrey said three missiles were launched by Houthis with two failing to reach the sea.
The strike caused a fire on board but no injuries have been reported, so far.
Authorities have issued a warning to other boats in the Red Sea region.
It came as a US fighter aircraft intercepted and destroyed an anti-ship cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen towards the USS Laboon destroyer in the Red Sea, according to the US Central Command.
The incident occurred off the coast of Hodeidah, a port city in the west of Yemen whose international airport was targeted in joint US-UK airstrikes last week.
The UK joined the US-led operation in hitting more than 60 missile and drone targets in response to the group targeting ships in the Red Sea.
But despite around 90 per cent of the targets being hit, two US officials warned on Sunday that the group retained about three-quarters of its ability to fire missiles and drones at vessels using the narrow strip of water.
Lord Cameron warned that Britain could strike Houthi targets again if the rebel group continued to attack ships in the Red Sea.
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Operator of vessel struck by ‘unidentified projectile’ release statement
The owners of the Gibraltar Eagle say the cargo vessel was hit by an “unidentified projectile” while sailing off the Gulf of Aden.
Her US operator Eagle Bulk Shipping said in a statement: “As a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area.
“All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured. The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products.”
Barney Davis15 January 2024 16:371705336393
Rishi Sunak ‘linking strikes on Houthi withIsrael-Gaza gives ammunition enemy'
Labour MP Apsana Begum told the Commons that a recent poll showed a majority of the British public “want a ceasefire in Israel-Gaza”, adding: “Yet last week the Government launched air strikes in the Red Sea in escalation of the situation in the Middle East.”
She asked about the case for a vote in Parliament and if the Prime Minister believes the Government has “any duty towards the British public” and MPs when taking such decisions.
The Prime Minister said: “The Leader of the Opposition made the point in his remarks, rightly, that we needed to make sure that malign actors elsewhere would not try and distort what we have done for their own purposes.
“But I would gently say to (Ms Begum) to conflate and link our action against the Houthis with the situation in Israel-Gaza just gives ammunition to our enemies who would seek to make things worse in the region.
“We have acted in self-defence… and separately we will of course work very hard to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza and to try and bring about the sustainable ceasefire that we all of course want to see.”
Strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen were a 'last resort', Sunak insistsBarney Davis15 January 2024 16:331705335597
Lack of MPs’ approval for strikes ‘regrettable’, says Lib Dem leader
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey told the Commons that his party supports the strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen – but said the lack of a vote beforehand was “regrettable”.
The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn also asked Rishi Sunak how far he is willing to go if the Houthis continue to attack the shipping lane – warning against “further escalation”.
Mr Flynn said parliament “should have been recalled” after the strikes – urging the Tory leader to “do better”.
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts went further. She asked him to explain to seafarers “how dropping bombs will lead to a de-escalation of a situation which is already endangering their safety”.
Adam Forrest15 January 2024 16:191705334640
What will Sunak do if there are more Houthi attacks, asks Starmer
Keir Starmer has told the Commons that Labour supports the government’s “limited and targeted” strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen – but posed four questions for Rishi Sunak.
The Labour leader said the Houthi attacks were “unacceptable” and if left unaddressed could lead to a rise in the cost of essential food for the poorest countries.
He asked Mr Sunak how confident he was that his objectives had been met, what he do if there were more attacks and what he would do to build the support of the international community.
Sir Keir also asked whether Mr Sunak followed the convention that MPs should vote on military intervention if it became a sustained campaign.
“Scrutiny is not the enemy of strategy. While we back the action taken last week, these strikes still do bring risk. We must avoid escalation across the Middle East.”
Adam Forrest15 January 2024 16:041705334418
Rishi Sunak says ‘no evidence of civilian casualties’ after strikes on Houthi in Yemen
Rishi Sunak says 'no evidence of civilian casualties' after strikes on Houthi in YemenBarney Davis15 January 2024 16:001705333899
Rishi Sunak says strikes on Houthi rebels unrelated to Gaza
The UK’s participation in air strikes against Houthi rebels was “completely unrelated” to the Israel-Gaza conflict and Yemen’s civil war, Rishi Sunak told the Commons.
The Prime Minister said: “We shouldn’t fall for their (the Houthis’) malign narrative that this is about Israel and Gaza. They target ships from around the world.
“And we continue to work towards a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and to get more aid to civilians. We also continue to support a negotiated settlement in Yemen’s civil war.
“But I want to be very clear that this action is completely unrelated to those issues.
“It is a direct response to the Houthis’ attacks on international shipping.”
Barney Davis15 January 2024 15:511705333756
Rishi Sunak says attacks on Houthi rebels are 'self defence'
Rishi Sunak has been updating the House of Commons on the strikes on Houthi targets.
The Prime Minister said UK airstrikes on Yemen destroyed 13 Houthi targets, adding: “The threats to shipping must cease.
“Illegally detained vessels and crews must be released. And we remain prepared to back our words with actions.”
He added he believed there had been no civilian casualties.
The prime minister said Iran-backed Houthi militants launched over 25 “illegal and unacceptable attacks” on commercial shipping in the Red Sea since 19 November.
“They mounted a direct attack against British and American warships. They fired on our ships and our sailors. It was the biggest attack on the Royal Navy for decades. And so we acted.”
Barney Davis15 January 2024 15:491705332882
Pictured: $20m cargo ship Eagle Gibraltar struck by missile
Barney Davis15 January 2024 15:341705332218
US-owned container ship hit by missile named as Gibraltar Eagle
The US has revealed the name of their container ship struck by a missile they claim came from a Houthi position.
US Central Command posted on X that Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen striking the M/V Gibraltar Eagle at 4pm local time.
The ship is owned by Eagle Bulk, a Stamford, Connecticut-based firm traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
The ship has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey.
Barney Davis15 January 2024 15:231705331730
Houthis fired three missiles at US-owned carrier – security firm claims
Maritime security company Ambrey said three missiles were launched by Houthis with two failing to reach the sea.
Ambrey added that the impact reportedly caused a fire in a hold, but that the bulker remained seaworthy with no injuries on board.
Authorities have issued a warning to other boats in the Red Sea region.
Barney Davis15 January 2024 15:15NewerOlder✕
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