US and British air strikes carried out against Houthi targets in Yemen over recent attacks on Red Sea shipping were “necessary and proportionate”, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said, AFP reports.

“Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea,” Sunak said in a statement.

“We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States… to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping,” he said.

Sunak’s statement followed comments by US President Joe Biden about the strikes carried out against the Houthis, who control wide areas of Yemen.