in-cyprus 12 January 2024
In an operation led by the United States, the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom deployed two pairs of Typhoon FGR4 aircraft from the Akrotiri base in Cyprus to conduct strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.
The strikes carried out with the support of Voyager-type aerial refuelling aircraft, used guided Paveway IV missiles.
The British Ministry of Defence revealed that the targeted areas included buildings in the Banī region of northwest Yemen, a hotspot for Houthi drone launches for reconnaissance and attacks. Additionally, a military airport in the city of Al Hudaydah, a launching point for Cruise missiles and drones towards the Red Sea, was struck.
Describing the attack as a “carefully coordinated” effort to limit Houthi violations of international law in the Red Sea, the British Ministry highlighted the operation’s focus on minimising risks to civilians, leading to the decision to carry it out during the night.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps asserted, “The significance of the threat posed to innocent lives and global trade necessitated this action, fulfilling our duty to safeguard ships and the freedom of navigation.”
Earlier in the night, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that the continued Houthi attacks “cannot continue.” Emphasising the defence of freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade, Sunak announced a collaborative effort with the United States and non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada, and Bahrain.
The goal is to degrade Houthi military capabilities and safeguard global shipping through “limited, necessary, and proportionate self-defence action.”
Sunak added that the Royal Navy continues patrols in the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational initiative aimed at deterring Houthi aggression. He called upon the Houthis to halt their attacks and take de-escalatory measures.
The British Prime Minister had informed the Cabinet, opposition leaders, and the Speaker of the House of Commons on Thursday night, following decisions made in meetings of the Cobra committee and the National Security Council.
On Sunday, January 14, people in Cyprus will march towards RAF Akrotiri to protest the use of the island as a launching pad for military operations.
The protest march will take place on Sunday, January 14 at 11 a.m. and it is organised by the Cyprus Peace Council.
(Reuters)
UPDATE
Overnight strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen by Britain and the United States were an act of self defence, British Armed Forces minister James Heappey told Times Radio on Friday.
“Our action and the action of the Americans last night was in self defence in order to defend against further attacks on our warships as they go about their legal and reasonable business,” Heappey said.
The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Britain deployed two pairs of Typhoon FGR4 aircraft from the Akrotiri base in Cyprus to conduct the strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.
(With information from Reuters)
