US and Britain launch strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in ...

The US and Britain have started launching strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. 

Key points:A US official said strikes against the Iran-backed group were carried out by aircraft, ships and a submarine  It comes as the United Nations Security Council demands an immediate halt to the shipping disruptions The US Central Command said Houthi rebels have launched their 27th attack since November 19

Houthi official Abdul Qader al-Mortada said raids were conducted in several Yemeni cities, including the capital Sana'a, in the early hours of Friday.

Two Hodieda residents told Associated Press they heard five strong explosions.

Hodieda lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis.

A US official told Reuters strikes against the Iran-backed group were carried out by aircraft, ships and a submarine. 

US President Joe Biden said Australia, Canada, Bahrain and the Netherlands provided support for the operation.

"These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardised trade, and threatened freedom of navigation," Mr Biden said in a statement.

"More than 50 nations have been affected in 27 attacks on international commercial shipping.

"Crews from more than 20 countries have been threatened or taken hostage in acts of piracy.

"More than 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea — which can cause weeks of delays in product shipping times." 

Mr Sunak said the Royal Air Force had carried out targeted strikes against Houthi military facilities.

He added the UK would "always stand up for freedom of navigation and free flow of trade".

The strikes would mark the first counterattack launched against the Iran-backed group, since it began Red Sea attacks in November last year.

It comes as the United Nations Security Council demanded an immediate halt to the disruption in global commerce on Thursday. 

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has said the group would respond if attacked by the US.

Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf, whose parents-in-law escaped Gaza in early November, warned the UK "does not have a good record of military intervention in the Middle East", demanding MPs have a briefing. 

Mr Sunak had spoken to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about the ongoing attacks.(Reuters: Leon Neal/Pool)

27 attacks since November

The US Central Command said Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into international shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden early Thursday, Yemen time. 

They said it marked the 27th Houthi shipping attack since November 19. 

"One commercial vessel reported visually observing the missile impact the water; however, there were no injuries or damage reported," it added.

The Iran-backed group says it is conducting attacks in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas in its fight against Israel.

Right to defend 'vessels from attack'

Thursday's UN resolution signals an international, and implicit, endorsement of the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian. 

The mission has been defending commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from Houthi missile and drone attacks.

The UN vote also called for the release of Galaxy Leader cargo ship seized in November 2023. (Reuters/File Photo)

A key provision of the 11-0 resolution noted the right of UN members "to defend their vessels from attack". 

In contrast to decisions taken by the UN General Assembly, those in the Security Council are legally binding and members must "carry out the decisions".

Before the resolution on Thursday, United States deputy ambassador Robert Wood said "freedom of commercial activity on the seas is critically important to commerce and to national security of a number of states". 

Wider fallout on the horizon

Nearly 10 per cent of global oil trade and an estimated $US1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) in goods pass through the Red Sea route annually.

Houthi attacks have forced many shipping companies to use the much longer and more-expensive route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

On Thursday, Tesla announced it would suspend most car production at its factory near Berlin from January 29 to February 11, citing a lack of components due to routes shifts.

Analysts expect Tesla is the first of many automakers who could suffer from the Red Sea fallout. (Reuters: Mike Blake)

The US electric vehicle maker is the first company to disclose an interruption to output due to the disruption.

Many companies including Sweden's Ikea have warned of delays to deliveries.

Analysts expect other automakers could suffer fallout from the Red Sea conflict.

"Relying on so many key components from Asia, and specifically China, has been a potential weak spot in any automaker's supply chain," AutoForecast Solutions vice-president Sam Fiorani said.

The company tracks automotive supply chains and production.

"It can't be believed that they're alone, only the first to reflect the issue," he added.

ABC/Reuters