In a significant military development, the United Kingdom confirmed on Tuesday that its forces carried out targeted airstrikes in Yemen against Houthi-controlled sites, alongside United States forces. This marks the first openly acknowledged joint military action since the renewed American campaign against the Iran-aligned militant group began under the Trump administration.
According to the British Ministry of Defence, the operation focused on a group of buildings located south of Sanaa, Yemen’s capital. These facilities were reportedly used by the Houthis to construct aerial drones, which have been used in attacks against commercial shipping and naval vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Royal Air Force deployed Typhoon fighter jets for the mission, which took place under the cover of night. Precision-guided munitions were used to strike the targets after meticulous planning designed to minimize civilian harm and avoid damage to non-military infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that all aircraft involved returned to base safely.
This strike is part of a broader Western response to escalating Houthi aggression, which intensified in late 2023 when the group began a campaign claiming solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. Since then, the Houthis have launched numerous attacks on international ships and have fired missiles toward Israel, disrupting maritime security in one of the world’s most crucial shipping corridors.
To counter this threat, the United States has intensified efforts to neutralize the Houthis’ offensive capabilities, targeting drone production centers, missile launch sites, and underwater unmanned vehicles. While the UK had participated in joint operations previously, Wednesday’s official confirmation marks a new phase of transparency and alignment with the US military strategy.
The British Defence Ministry emphasized that this mission was consistent with longstanding UK policy, citing the threat to global trade and maritime freedom posed by the Houthis since November 2023. The statement underscored that the attacks on merchant ships and the deaths of innocent sailors had compelled this defensive response.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey reinforced the urgency of the operation, stating that the strikes were necessary to prevent further Houthi aggression. He noted that disruptions in Red Sea shipping have resulted in a 55% decline in cargo traffic through the region, causing ripple effects on regional stability and harming the British economy.
Since the launch of the US campaign, dubbed “Operation Rough Rider,” American forces have conducted an aggressive series of over 800 airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure, including oil refineries, airbases, and missile depots. These operations, however, have encountered resistance, with the Houthis successfully downing several high-value US drones, impeding the effectiveness of surveillance and targeting capabilities.
While Washington maintains that the objective is to degrade the Houthi arsenal and deter future attacks, progress has been mixed. Analysts suggest the group retains a significant amount of operational capacity, and ongoing attacks continue to challenge Western efforts to stabilize the Red Sea corridor.
Adding to the tensions, on Monday the Houthis claimed that a US airstrike hit a detention facility housing African migrants, resulting in multiple fatalities. In response, US Central Command acknowledged awareness of the allegation and stated it was conducting a formal damage assessment and investigation into the reported civilian casualties.
As the situation unfolds, both London and Washington stress the necessity of maintaining pressure on the Houthis to safeguard international shipping and uphold the freedom of navigation through one of the world’s busiest maritime lanes. With further joint actions likely, the campaign in Yemen appears far from over.
