Stephen asks about international support for airstrikes against the Houthis in yemen

On 23 January, Stephen asked the Prime Minister if there was international support for joint airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen carried out by the US and UK on 12 and 22 January.

On 12 and 22 January, the US and UK launched joint airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen. The airstrikes followed attacks by the Iran-backed rebel group on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, delivered a statement to Parliament about the airstrikes on Tuesday 23 January. Stephen asked the Prime Minister why only US and UK forces took part in the military action. The Prime Minister replied that they had been supported by countries including Canada and Australia, and noted a UN Security Council resolution condemning the attacks by the Houthis.

The Houthis are a rebel group based in Yemen and widely considered to be supported by Iran, though Iran denies involvement. Their official title is Ansar Allah (Partisans of God). From 2011, they seized large parts of western Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.