Yemen airstrikes LIVE: Rishi Sunak calls emergency cabinet meeting to plan response to attacks from Houthi rebels

The Mail understands F-35B Lightning stealth jets primarily based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus are being readied for motion.

These plane had been anticipated to play a key position within the air strikes more likely to goal Houthi rocket launcher websites and command and management services.

British drones outfitted with deadly RX-9 had been additionally primed, it’s understood.

(Beneath is a inventory picture of a F-35B Lightning Fighter jet)

The rebels say their assaults are geared toward stopping Israel‘s warfare on Hamas within the Gaza Strip. However their targets are more and more random, elevating the chance of a US retaliatory strike on Yemen.

Britain has been transferring its warships into the Crimson Sea in latest days.

Kind 23 frigate HMS Richmond left Gibraltar yesterday amid a construct up of forces within the area between Africa and Arabia.

Admiral Lord West, the previous First Sea Lord, mentioned that the UK and US has to indicate that ‘sufficient is sufficient’ after drones and missiles launched from the Arabian state had been shot down by HMS Diamond and American warships.

Sky Information is reporting the Authorities will transient Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer following the digital cupboard assembly.

The US and the UK are prepared to hold out airstrikes in opposition to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen as early as tonight – concentrating on the ballistic websites the place the rebels have been launching missiles.

Lord Cameron spoke on Monday concerning the state of affairs within the Crimson Sea, which he labelled as ‘extraordinarily harmful’.

Downing Road has simply launched particulars of a name Mr Sunak had with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi this afternoon to debate the rise in Houthi assaults.

A Downing Road spokesperson mentioned the PM advised him ‘the UK would proceed to take motion to defend freedom of navigation and shield lives at sea’.

The Prime Minister thanked President Sisi for his continued assist on the humanitarian and diplomatic effort in Gaza, together with on joint work to safe the discharge of British hostages and people with hyperlinks to the UK.

They agreed on the significance of considerably scaling up the help reaching Palestinians in Gaza to stop a worsening humanitarian disaster. The Prime Minister mentioned the UK was urging Israel to open extra land crossings and to permit in far better portions of support, as much as 500 vehicles a day.

The Houthi assaults within the Crimson Sea are closely impacting vessels carrying cargo with delivery corporations in response rerouting round South Africa.

Tesco boss Ken Murphy has warned this might create a knock-on impact on the costs of some items.

The US Central Command says the Houthis have carried out 27 assaults within the Crimson Sea since November 19.

They mentioned the rebels’ newest assault got here at the moment at round 2am (Yemen time) after they fired an anti-ship ballistic missile ‘from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen into worldwide delivery lanes within the Gulf of Aden’.

One ship noticed the missile hit the water. Nobody was injured and no harm was reported.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps spoke yesterday concerning the Houthi’s continued assaults within the Crimson Sea.

You may hear what he mentioned within the video beneath.

The UK’s solely Palestinian MP Layla Moran says it is important there’s a vote in Parliament if Britain is planning navy motion.

The Cupboard was tonight attributable to log off navy reprisals in opposition to Iranian-backed rebels terrorising delivery within the Crimson Sea.

Rishi Sunak summoned an emergency assembly of the Cupboard at 7.45pm to transient ministers forward of anticipated in a single day air strikes in opposition to Houthi rebels working out of Yemen.

Downing Road declined to remark forward of what’s anticipated to be a big navy operation led by the USA.

However Whitehall sources confirmed that the Prime Minister is able to log off navy reprisals in opposition to the Houthis, who’ve launched a string of assaults on service provider delivery within the Crimson Sea in latest weeks.

The plans had been finalised at the moment following conferences of the Prime Minister’s Nationwide Safety Council and the emergency committee Cobra.

Sir William Patey, the previous UK ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, has advised Sky Information the airstrikes might spark a battle between the UK and Iran.

In the end the most important hazard is that we find yourself in a battle with Iran as a result of the Houthis are performing right here not on their very own however brokers of Iran.

The West is plotting airstrikes in response to the Houthi rebels assaults within the Crimson Sea.

Overseas Secretary Lord Cameron has simply been seen strolling into No10 Downing Road forward of the assembly.

Howdy and welcome to our dwell protection as Rishi Sunak is about to carry an emergency assembly along with his cupboard.

The Prime Minister is ready to plan with members a response to the assaults from the Houthi rebels within the Crimson Sea.