British premier faces backlash over failure to consult lawmakers ahead of Yemen strikes

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Amid criticism from members of parliament, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday defended the country's recent military strikes on targets associated with the Yemeni Houthi group, labeling them as an act of "self-defense" to protect crucial shipping lanes.

"The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade," said a statement by Sunak, who faces criticism for not seeking parliamentary approval before authorizing the strikes, sparking a political storm.

"We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense ... against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping," he added.

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer, despite expressing support for the strikes, called for an immediate Commons statement and a clear outline of the government's legal position.

This demand for transparency comes amid rising discontent over the lack of parliamentary consultation, even though the Labour leader was briefed beforehand and a late-night Cabinet meeting was held.

Scottish leader Humza Yousaf, meanwhile, pointed to the UK's checkered history of military interventions in the Middle East.

Yousaf insisted on the immediate recall of Westminster, urging for lawmakers to be briefed and be allowed to scrutinize and debate any decisions related to military actions proposed by the UK government.

"The UK does not have a good record of military intervention in the Middle East. It is therefore incumbent that Westminster is recalled, MPs (members of parliament) briefed and allowed to debate and scrutinize any decision to pursue military action that the UK Government is proposing," he stated, underlining the necessity of parliamentary oversight.

Echoing similar sentiments, Layla Moran, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, described the decision to bypass parliament as "shameful."

"I and Liberal Democrats remain concerned about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. That makes it all the more important to ensure MPs aren't silenced on the issue of military action," Moran said on X, highlighting the need for open discussions on critical matters.

The Scottish National Party's (SNP) Westminster leader Stephen Flynn emphasized the complexity and gravity of the matter.

"It is incumbent upon the UK Government to appraise Parliament as soon as possible and MPs must therefore be recalled to Westminster," he said on X.

The US and UK carried out strikes on multiple targets inside Yemen late Thursday.

The attack comes in response to ongoing drone and missile strikes by the Yemeni group, which is backed by Iran, on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea that began in November in response to Israel's war on Gaza.

The Red Sea is a critical waterway for international commerce, particularly for oil and fuel shipments, connecting the Suez Canal in Egypt with the Gulf of Aden via the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Houthis have carried out 27 attacks in the Red Sea since Nov. 19, the US military said earlier Thursday.