UK and US strike Houthi rebels in Yemen overnight

Sunak added that the UK had "taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain".

The PM said the aim of the action was "to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping".

Houthi officials warned in response that the UK and US will “pay a heavy price”.

The attack added to concerns that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into the wider region.

The Iran-backed rebels control much of Yemen and have said they are supporting Hamas by targeting ships heading to Israel. In November they seized what they said was an Israeli cargo ship.

The rebels have launched 25 attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November, forcing the suspension of shipping through the key trade route. 

Almost 15 per cent of global sea trade passes through the Red Sea. The German economic institute found a drop of nearly two-thirds in the number of containers travelling through the Red Sea daily, from 500,000 in November to 200,000 in December.