British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey pointed out to the BBC today, Friday, that his country currently has no plans to carry out further missions to strike Houthi military targets in Yemen. When asked about potential future missions, he stated, "There is no plan at present, and this is an important point. Last night was a limited, proportionate, and necessary response." He continued, "Of course, we are trying to ensure that the strikes do not lead to regional escalation." He added, "We'll see if the attacks will cease in the coming days."
Regarding criticisms from some opponents about not allowing Parliament the opportunity to discuss military intervention, Heappey said, "The Prime Minister has to make similar decisions based on military, strategic, and operational intelligence, which dictated the timing of the strike." He added, "Parliament will not reconvene today as scheduled. However, it will have a chance to discuss these matters in detail when it returns to session."
Heappey described the British and American strikes as a proportional reaction to the crisis in the Red Sea. The United States and Britain carried out air and sea strikes on military targets of the Houthis in Yemen in response to the group's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, representing a regional escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
On Friday, the British government published a summary of its legal position stating that its decision to strike Houthi military targets in Yemen is justified under international law. The document stated: "Under international law, Britain has the right to use force in such circumstances where action in self-defense is the only viable means of addressing an actual or imminent armed attack, and the force used is necessary and proportionate."
The government also released the document on its website titled "Summary of the British Government's Legal Position: Legitimacy of British Military Action to Target Houthi Facilities in Yemen." The British government added that it will inform the United Nations Security Council of the actions it has taken.
