Britain\u2019s military launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Tuesday with US forces, its defense ministry said \u2013 the first public acknowledgment of a joint operation since the Trump administration escalated the US campaign against the militant group. <\/p>\n
The strikes targeted \u201ca cluster of buildings\u201d south of the capital Sanaa used by Houthis to manufacture drones, which the group uses to attack ships at sea, Britain\u2019s Ministry of Defence said in a statement released Wednesday. <\/p>\n
The Royal Air Force sent Typhoon fighter jets to target those buildings, dropping precision bombs after dark following \u201cvery careful planning \u2026 to allow the targets to be prosecuted with minimal risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure,\u201d the statement said. All the aircraft returned safely, it added. <\/p>\n
The Iran-backed Houthis began a military campaign in solidarity with Palestinians when Israel went to war in Gaza in October 2023. They have repeatedly attacked US Navy ships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden \u2013 two waterways that are critical to international shipping routes \u2013 and fired missiles at Israel. <\/p>\n
In response, the US has tried to disrupt the Houthis\u2019 capabilities by going after their primary weapons, and by destroying maritime drones and underwater drones. <\/p>\n
The UK has participated in joint strikes with the US against the Houthis before, including numerous operations in 2024. <\/p>\n
But Wednesday\u2019s statement marks its first acknowledgment of a joint strike since President Donald Trump launched his aggressive military campaign against the group, vowing to use \u201coverwhelming force\u201d to stop the Red Sea attacks. <\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s joint operation \u201cwas in line with long-standing policy of the UK government, following the Houthis initiating their campaign of attacks in November 2023, threatening freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, striking international ships, and killing innocent merchant mariners,\u201d said the ministry statement. <\/p>\n
John Healey, the UK\u2019s defense secretary, said the strikes aimed to prevent further Houthi attacks, adding that a 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea had caused regional instability and damaged the UK\u2019s economy. <\/p>\n
Since Trump began his campaign \u2013 known as \u201cOperation Rough Rider\u201d \u2013 on March 15, US airstrikes have pounded Houthi targets in Yemen, hitting oil refineries, airports and missile sites. The US military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in its monthlong campaign, while analysts estimate dozens of Houthi military officers have been killed. <\/p>\n
On Monday the Houthis alleged a US airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing dozens. <\/p>\n
In response, US Central Command said it was \u201caware of the claims of civilian casualties related to the US strikes in Yemen, and we take those claims very seriously. We are currently conducting our battle-damage assessment and inquiry into those claims.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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