UK not seeking confrontation with Houthis - Sunak

The UK will not hesitate to take further military action against Houthi targets in Yemen if the group continues Red Sea attacks, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told MPs.

Mr Sunak said the UK was not seeking confrontation with the Iran-backed group, but would continue to act in self-defence.

It follows overnight strikes with the US in Yemen.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he backed the "targeted action".

Addressing the House of Commons on Tuesday, Rishi Sunak said: "We are not seeking a confrontation. We urge the Houthis and those who enable them to stop these illegal and unacceptable attacks.

"But, if necessary, the United Kingdom will not hesitate to respond again in self-defence.

"We cannot stand by and allow these attacks to go unchallenged. Inaction is also a choice."

The strikes on Monday night, led by the US, were the second joint operation with the UK, following raids on 11 January.

Since November, the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels travelling through the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The pro-Hamas group says it is targeting ships linked to Israel in response to the military ground operation in Gaza.

Mr Sunak said military action against the Houthis had been a "last resort" and only after repeated warnings had been ignored.