WASHINGTON, JAN 12   :    The United Kingdom’s airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen are permitted under international law because of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, including British-flagged vessels, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office said on Friday.

According to the office, Houthis have conducted many attacks on vessels in the Red Sea “for a sustained period.” On January 9, the Yemeni rebel movement attacked a UK warship, the office added.

“Military intervention to strike carefully identified targets in order to effectively downgrade the Houthi’s capabilities and deter further attacks was lawfully taken. The UK is permitted under international law to use force in such circumstances where acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate,” the office said in a statement.

The UK will notify the UN Security Council of its actions according to the UN Charter, the office added.(UNI)