British military participates in airstrikes against Houthis without a prior parliamentary vote. Opposition parties recognise the legitimacy of the attack, but... - 13 January 2024
1)
Early on 12 January, US and British naval forces deployed in the Red Sea carried out air strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels in various parts of the country. The US and UK militaries reportedly carried out airstrikes on nearly 30 Houthi strongholds in Yemen.
The targets included Houthi support bases, air defence systems and weapons depots, the Associated Press reported, citing US officials.
2)
BBC defence editor Jonathan Beale said four British Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets took off from Akrotiri, Cyprus, and used Paveway bombs to attack two Houthi targets in Yemen. One air strike was reported.
The government of Rishi Sunak informed the Speaker of the House of Commons and the leaders of the main opposition Labour Party of the attack late on the 11th. Still, a report to Parliament is expected on the 15th.
3)
Prime Minister Sunak defended the attack because Red Sea shipping and civilian lives were at risk. He said it was an act of limited self-defence.
Meanwhile, representatives of Britain's opposition parties accepted the legitimacy of the attack but said it should have been fully reported to Parliament in advance.
4)
In Britain, under a rule known as the Royal Prerogative, the government is not required to give Parliament advance notice of military action.
BBC political editor Chris Mason explains.
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From video
A)
In the early hours of this morning, the British jets involved in the air strikes on Yemen were back at their base in Cyprus. Good evening, Mr Speaker. Should Parliament be recalled?
I don't even know if it will be recalled for last night; the Prime Minister has already decided.
The Speaker of the House of Commons has been called in for a briefing. Will the Labour Party support the government?
B)
So, have senior Labour figure Kia Starma Ed remotely on a visit to Greater Manchester today.
The Labour leader said the air strikes were justified because of the actions of the Houthis; they are putting civilian lives at risk and disrupting traffic through Yemen.
C)
They're disrupting traffic through the Red Sea, which is vital to the world economy, so we support the government's action; of course, it's up to the government to make a statement about it.
But the principle is an important one: 20 years ago, Tony Blair held a vote in this House before the Iraq war.
D)
This is the time for this House, not just this Government or even this Prime Minister, but for this House to take the lead: he won the vote. Technically, governments don't have to do this.
But the Iraq War was so controversial that ministers have been under pressure to do so since David Cameron wanted British air strikes on Syria a decade later, in 2013.
E)
"So the no has it."
But the Commons rejected the idea: the British Parliament, reflecting the views of the British people, does not want British military action.
"I understand that, and the government will act accordingly." Today, the Scottish National Party condemned the strikes but said the Prime Minister should have done it.
F)
We should consult more widely beforehand. Parliament should have been recalled.
The evidence base should have been laid out, and the legal basis should have been laid out in the House of Commons for MPS to scrutinise, for the issue to be debated, and for a decision to be made.
G)
The Liberal Democrat leader, who visited a school in Stockport, said: "I sympathise with the government's desire to act, but I think it's essential that Parliament has a say whenever we use our armed forces.
But I think it's reasonable. I think the public would expect there to be, uh, a provision of information from the government to make that case.
H)
The Prime Minister said his action was justified.
"What we have done here is to take limited and necessary steps in response to a specific threat in self-defence.
And if you look at similar situations in 2015 and 2018, a statement was made to Parliament after the action."
Rishi Sunak will be here on Monday to answer questions about what happened.
British military participates in airstrikes against Houthis without a prior parliamentary vote. Opposition parties recognise the legitimacy of the attack, but... - 13 January 2024
https://www.bbc.com/japanese/video-67966775
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP6afBUSmX4
