Rishi Sunak has warned Britain is “prepared to back our words with actions” as attacks continued in the Red Sea following strikes against the Houthis.
The Prime Minister’s statement in the Commons came shortly after a missile struck a US-owned ship off the coast of Yemen.
Mr Sunak told MPs: “The threats to shipping must cease. Illegally detained vessels and crews must be released. And we remain prepared to back our words with actions.”
The UK took part in US-led strikes on Houthi military facilities in Yemen last Thursday.
The Iranian-backed militant group, which supports Hamas, has claimed its attacks are in response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Mr Sunak added: “I can tell the House today that our initial assessment is that all 13 planned targets were destroyed.
“We have seen no evidence thus far of civilian causalities, which we took great care to avoid.”
The Houthis’ attacks have disrupted merchant vessels in the key route through the Red Sea to the Suez Canal.
The Royal Navy air defence destroyer HMS Diamond and US warships shot down a barrage of drones and missiles in what was believed to be the largest attack to date by the Yemen-based force last Tuesday.
