PM: We will not hesitate to respond in self-defence

RISHI Sunak has admitted he cannot rule out British forces carrying out "sustained" strikes on Houthi rebels after a second bombing blitz in 10 days.

- Michael Knowles

The Prime Minister declared "we are not seeking a confrontation" but insisted he would not stand by as the militants disrupted global trade.

The Daily Express understands British fighter jets destroyed eight missile launchers clustered into two batteries during the mission on Monday.

Sources said three launchers were targeted at one location, near Sanaa airfield, while five more were hit at another site near the Yemeni capital.

American warplanes, destroyers and a submarine also joined the operation in a bid to restore security in the Red Sea.

The US struck an underground storage facility used by the Houthis, an official said. The storage site was assessed to have "more advanced conventional weapons", including missiles and one-way attack drones.

American forces also fired at air defence and radar systems. Mr Sunak said: "If necessary, the United Kingdom will not hesitate to respond again in self-defence. We cannot allow these attacks to go unchallenged.