emen: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's statement from the House of Commons
Category
๐
NewsTranscript
00:00 >>Mr Speaker We now come to the statement. I call the
00:08 Prime Minister.
00:09 >>The Prime Minister Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to update
00:13 the House on the action that we took on Thursday night against Houthi military targets in Yemen.
00:20 Since 19 November, Iran-backed Houthis have launched over 25 illegal and unacceptable
00:26 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. On 9 January, they mounted a direct attack
00:32 against British and American warships. They fired on our ships and our sailors. It was
00:38 the biggest attack on the Royal Navy for decades, and so we acted. We did so in self-defence,
00:45 consistent with the UN Charter, and to uphold freedom of navigation, as Britain has always
00:51 done. Alongside the United States, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands,
00:59 we ordered the RAF to strike two Houthi military facilities in Yemen. I want to be clear that
01:05 these were limited strikes. They were carefully targeted at launch sites for drones and ballistic
01:10 missiles to degrade the Houthis' capacity to make further attacks on international shipping.
01:18 I can tell the House today that our initial assessment is that all 13 planned targets
01:23 were destroyed. At the drone and cruise missile base in Bani, nine buildings were successfully
01:29 hit. A further three buildings were hit at Abs Airfield, along with a cruise missile
01:34 launcher caught in the open. We have seen no evidence thus far of civilian casualties,
01:41 which we took great care to avoid. I know the whole House will join me in paying tribute
01:46 to the incredible bravery and professionalism of all our servicemen and women. The need
01:52 to maximise the security and effectiveness of the operation meant that it was not possible
01:56 to bring this matter to the House in advance, but we took care to brief Members before the
02:01 strikes took place, including you, of course, Mr Speaker, and the Leader of the Opposition,
02:06 and I have come to the House at the earliest possible opportunity.
02:11 I do not take decisions on the use of force lightly. That is why I stress that this action
02:16 was taken in self-defence. It was limited, not escalatory. It was a necessary and proportionate
02:24 response to a direct threat to UK vessels, and therefore to the UK itself.
02:32 Let me be absolutely clear why the Royal Navy is in the Red Sea. It is there as part of
02:37 Operation Prosperity Guardian, protecting freedom of navigation as a fundamental tenet
02:43 of international law. The Houthis' attack on international shipping has put innocent
02:49 lives at risk. They have held one crew hostage for almost two months, and they are causing
02:55 growing economic disruption. Global commerce cannot operate under such conditions. Containers
03:01 and tankers are having to take a 5,000-mile detour around the Cape of Good Hope. That
03:08 pushes up prices and imperils the passage of goods, foods and medicines that the British
03:13 people and others rely on. We have attempted to resolve this through diplomacy. After numerous
03:21 international calls for the attacks to stop, a coalition of countries gave the Houthis
03:26 a clear and unambiguous warning two weeks ago. Last week, the UN Security Council passed
03:33 a resolution condemning the attacks and highlighting the right of nations to defend their vessels
03:39 and preserve freedom of navigation. Yet the Houthis continued on their reckless path.
03:47 We should not fall for the malign narrative that this is about Israel and Gaza. They target
03:53 ships from around the world. We continue to work towards a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza
03:59 and to get more aid to civilians. We also continue to support a negotiated settlement
04:04 in Yemen's civil war. But I want to be very clear that this action is completely unrelated
04:11 to those issues. It is a direct response to the Houthis' attacks on international shipping.
04:19 We should also recognise the risks of inaction. It would weaken international security and
04:26 the rule of law, further damage freedom of navigation and the global economy, and send
04:31 a dangerous message that British vessels and British interests are fair game.
04:37 There is another point here that is often overlooked. The Houthis' attack risks worsening
04:43 the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen itself. The UK helps to feed around 100,000 Yemenis
04:50 every month, with aid arriving via the very sea routes that the Houthis have in their
04:56 sights. So the threats to shipping must cease, illegally detained vessels and crews must
05:02 be released, and we remain prepared to back our words with actions. But dealing with this
05:09 threat does not detract from our other international commitments. Rather, it strengthens our determination
05:16 to uphold fundamental UN principles. If our adversaries think that they can distract us
05:21 from helping Ukraine by threatening international security elsewhere, they could not be more
05:27 wrong.
05:29 On Friday, I travelled to Kyiv to meet President Zelensky and address the Ukrainian Parliament.
05:34 I took a message from this House to the Rada that we will stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow
05:40 and for as long as it takes. If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop there, and other
05:47 malign actors will be emboldened. That is why Ukraine's security is our security.
05:53 That is why the UK will stay the course. And it is why I am confident that our partners
05:58 share our resolve.
06:01 And so far from our resolve faltering, our military support to Ukraine will increase
06:05 this year. We will provide the single biggest package of defence aid to Ukraine since the
06:10 war began, worth ยฃ2.5 billion. This will include more air defence equipment, more anti-tank
06:17 weapons, more long-range missiles, thousands more rounds of ammunition and artillery shells,
06:22 training for thousands more Ukrainian servicemen and women, and the single largest package
06:29 of advanced drones given to Ukraine by any nation. All of this is on top of what we have
06:35 already provided to support Ukraine.
06:38 In total, since the war began, the UK will have provided almost ยฃ12 billion of aid to
06:44 Ukraine. We were the first to train Ukrainian troops, first in Europe to provide lethal
06:51 weapons, first to commit main battle tanks, first to provide long-range missiles, and
06:58 now we are the first to keep the promise made at last year's NATO summit, alongside 30
07:04 other countries, to provide new bilateral security commitments.
07:09 Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO, and NATO will be stronger with Ukraine in it.
07:15 But these commitments will help bridge the gap until that day comes. Under the new agreement
07:21 that we signed with President Zelensky, we are building Ukraine's military capabilities,
07:26 and if Russia ever invades Ukraine again, we will provide swift and sustained assistance,
07:33 including modern equipment, across land, air and sea. Together with our allies, the UK
07:38 will be there from the first moment until the last.
07:42 For all of this, I bring a message of thanks from President Zelensky to the British people.
07:48 Today I hope that this House will join me in sending a message back to the Ukrainian
07:52 people that we stand together as one in support of these firm commitments.
08:00 We are building a new partnership with Ukraine, designed to last 100 years or more. Yes, it
08:06 is about defence and security, but it is also about trade, investment, culture and more.
08:12 There could be no more powerful sign of our unique bond than Ukraine's decision to adopt
08:18 English as the language of business and diplomacy. So, through the British Council, we are going
08:24 to fund English-language training for the Ukrainian people.
08:29 In dangerous times, we are investing in defence, hardening our critical infrastructure, building
08:34 our alliances, and we are resolute in our principlesโinternational security, the rule
08:40 of law and freedom to determine your own future. An attack on those principles is an attack
08:46 on everything that we believe in and on which our lives and livelihoods depend. As the home
08:53 of parliamentary democracy and a leader in collective security, it is our responsibility
08:59 to defend those principles and to defend our people. That is who we are. That is what Britain
09:06 does and will always do, and I commend this statement to the House.
09:10 >>Keir Starmer (North East Fife) (Lab/Co-op): I thank the Prime Minister for the secure
09:20 briefing last week and for the advance copy of his statement. Let me reiterate that Labour
09:27 backs this targeted action to reinforce maritime security in the Red Sea. We strongly condemn
09:35 the Houthi attacks that are targeting commercial ships of all nationalities, putting civilians
09:42 and military personnel in serious danger, including British forces. The Houthi attacks
09:49 are unacceptable, illegal and, if left unaddressed, could lead to a devastating rise in the cost
09:57 of essential food in some of the poorest countries. The international community clearly stands
10:05 against the Houthi attacks. Alongside the UK and the US, four other countries were involved
10:12 in non-operational support. Over a dozen nations are part of the maritime protection force
10:19 in the Red Sea, and many others support the recent UN Security Council resolution, which
10:25 condemns the Houthi attacks in the strongest possible terms. The UK strikes were limited,
10:33 and it did everything possible to protect civilian lives. That is a proportionate response.
10:43 Military action must always be underpinned by a clear strategy, and it is the role of
10:49 this House to ask the right questions. What confidence does the Prime Minister have that
10:58 his stated objectives have been met? What process will he follow in the face of continued
11:06 Houthi attacks? What efforts are under way to maintain the support of the international
11:12 community? Can he confirm that he stands by the parliamentary convention that, where possible,
11:20 military interventions by the UK Government, particularly if they are part of a sustained
11:25 campaign, should be brought before this House? Scrutiny is not the enemy of strategy. While
11:35 we back the action taken last week, these strikes still bring risk. We must avoid escalation
11:42 across the Middle East. Can the Prime Minister also tell us how the UK will work with international
11:49 partners so that our rightful actions are not used as an excuse by those who seek to
11:56 expand violence throughout the wider region or, indeed, reanimate the conflict in Yemen
12:02 itself?
12:03 Nonetheless, our armed forces across the region are showing the highest professionalism and
12:11 bravery in defending commercial shipping and this targeted action. We thank them and are
12:19 proud of them. They continue to show that Britain is a force for good, as does the UK's
12:29 unwavering unity in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression. On these fences,
12:37 we have backed all military support, so again we back the Prime Minister's announcement
12:43 of ยฃ2.5 billion for Ukraine next year. We strongly support the agreement on security
12:51 cooperation. This will give Ukraine vital confidence to plan for the year ahead. I hope
12:59 it becomes a template for other allies to follow and that Ukraine, in time, will become
13:06 a full member of NATO.
13:11 To those listening in Kiev, Moscow or elsewhere in the world, let me be clear. Whoever is
13:18 in government in Britain, the UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
13:28 Returning to the Middle East, it is now over 100 days since the brutal events of 7 October.
13:35 Israel's right to self-defence is fundamental, as is its duty to comply with international
13:41 law. The longer this conflict in Gaza rages, the more the risk of escalation throughout
13:48 the entire region. On the Israel-Lebanon border, we must urge constraint. We must make it crystal
13:55 clear to all parties that the UK does not support this conflict extending further in
14:01 Lebanon. While within Israel and Palestine, in the West Bank, settler violence must stop
14:07 immediately. In Gaza, we need a humanitarian truce now, not as a short pause but as the
14:16 first step on a road away from violence.
14:20 The need for a sustainable ceasefire is clear. To stop the killing of innocent civilians,
14:26 to create the space for the return of all the hostages and to provide urgent humanitarian
14:32 relief to protect against disease and ward off a devastating famine. From that first
14:40 step we can begin a bigger push towards peace, a permanent end to the fighting and a lasting
14:48 political solution. The hope of the two-state solution is fragile, but it is still there
14:56 and we must fight for it, just as we must also remain resolute in the face of aggression
15:03 which threatens global security, whether that is in Europe or the Red Sea.
15:09 >> Prime Minister, SNP leader Stephen Flint.
15:13 >> Stephen Flint (Bedford) (Con)
15:15 I echo the Prime Minister's sentiments in relation to Ukraine. All of us on the Conservative
15:20 benches remain firmly united behind their struggle against Vladimir Putin's Russia.
15:28 When Sir Walter Scott wrote that in war both sides lose, I am not quite sure he had factored
15:33 into the equation the likes of the Houthis, because they are, of course, the fundamentalists'
15:39 fundamentalists. Unperturbed by the bombing that they have been on the receiving end of
15:44 from Saudi Arabia for many years, the perceived wisdom would suggest that they are perhaps
15:50 not just content but maybe even quite happy to be on the receiving end of American bombs.
15:57 It is in that context that that poses an enormous question for all of us in this House as to
16:03 what comes next. If, as has been suggested through their actions over the course of the
16:10 last 12 hours or so, the message that we sought to send has not been received, what do we
16:18 intend to do? What is the plan? What is the Prime Minister's strategy? Will he come to
16:25 the dispatch box and, unlike his predecessors in relation to Middle East conflicts in Iraq,
16:31 Afghanistan and Syria, lay out when and how far he is willing to go in relation to military
16:38 action? Quite clearly, we need to understand his Government's strategy in this conflict,
16:51 because we cannot have an escalation that leads to further regional instability. Of
16:59 course, while we would all agree, quite rightly, that we should not fall for the Houthis'
17:04 narratives that this is directly related to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, we cannot
17:09 escape the fact that a ceasefire in Gaza is essential for that wider regional stability.
17:17 Finally, Mr Speaker, while the Prime Minister has sought to defend his decision not to come
17:26 to the House last week, it is quite clear that this House should have been recalled.
17:33 It is what the public would have expected, and I urge him to do better in future.
17:39 >>The Prime Minister I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments
17:46 about Ukraine and support for our approach. With regard to the future, I obviously will
17:51 not speculate on future action. What we conducted was intended as a single limited action, and
17:57 of course we hope that the Houthis will now step back and end their reckless and destabilising
18:02 attacks. However, we will not hesitate to protect our security and our interests where
18:08 required, and we will of course follow the correct procedures, as I believe we did so
18:14 in this case.
18:16 Although the hon. Gentleman is right to ask questions, we should also recognise the risks
18:23 of inaction. Doing nothing would absolutely weaken international security and the rule
18:29 of law. It would further damage the freedom of navigation and the global economy, and
18:35 perhaps most importantly, it would send a very dangerous message that British vessels
18:40 and British interests are fair game, and that is simply unacceptable.
18:44 Lastly, I am happy to answer questions about the situation in Israel and Gaza, but this
18:53 House should be very clear in making it clear to the outside world that there is no linkage
19:00 between what we have done last week and the situation in Israel and Gaza. This was a specific
19:05 action in self-defence against the Houthis, who are conducting illegal strikes against
19:11 innocent civilian shipping. That has nothing to do with what is going on in Israel and
19:15 Gaza, and we must never let anyone think that this House believes that there is.
19:19 [Music]
19:24 [MUSIC]