BRITAIN AND U.S.UNITE TO STRIKE AGAINST IRAN BACKED REBELS

'Consequences if rebel attacks don't stop

- Michael Knowles and Katie Harris

BRITAIN and the US have joined forces to strike back against Iran-supported Houthi rebels after HMS Diamond was attacked by drones in the Red Sea.

Rishi Sunak held an emergency Cabinet meeting last night to authorise military action against raiders threatening ships in international waters and damaging the global economy.

An American-led coalition is expected to target Houthi bases and boats with both warships and jets, as military chiefs hope to carry out surgical strikes on key targets in Yemen at the southern end of the Red Sea.

The force may involve planes from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus while destroyer HMS Diamond, which shot down Houthi drones on Tuesday, and frigate HMS Lancaster are also in the region.

Houthis, a Shiite group who have occupied Yemen's capital Sana'a since 2014, act with the support of Iran. The fighters, who back Hamas in its war with Israel, have attacked 26 cargo ships and tankers in the Red Sea recently, landing gunmen by helicopter to seize vessels.

The Government's emergency committee met to discuss the strikes yesterday morning, before the National Security Council convened. Later aides did not deny the reports of possible operations, as Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron entered No10 just before 8pm.

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle were briefed at the Cabinet Office.