The British military launched airstrikes with the United States targeting Yemen's Houthi militias, officials said early Wednesday, their first involvement with America's new intense campaign targeting the Iran-backed group.
The United Kingdom offered a detailed explanation of its reason to launch the strike.
The UK's Defense Ministry described the site attacked as “a cluster of buildings, used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, located some 15 miles (25 kilometers) south of Sanaa.”
Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s took part in the raid, dropping Paveway IV guided bombs, the ministry added.
“The strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced yet further,” the ministry said.
The British offered no information on the damage done in the strike, nor whether it believed there were any casualties.
“This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation,” said John Healey, the UK's secretary of state for defense. “A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fueling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK.”
The Houthis reported several strikes around Yemen's capital, Sanaa. Other strikes hit around Saada.
President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of US strikes on Yemen last month, with his administration saying it will continue assaulting the Houthis until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping.
The British have taken part in airstrikes alongside the US since the Biden administration began its campaign of strikes targeting the Houthis back in January 2024. However, this new strike is the first to see the British involved in the campaign under Trump.
The US military said over the weekend it has struck over 800 targets since mid-March.
