The British military has launched its first direct airstrike in Yemen as part of a joint campaign with the United States, targeting Houthi rebel infrastructure, the UK government confirmed on Wednesday.
The coordinated attack, under Operation Rough Rider, aimed to suppress Houthi assaults on commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea. UK Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the growing threat posed by the Houthis, noting a 55% decline in Red Sea shipping traffic that has disrupted global trade and regional stability.
Also Read: 38 Lives Lost in US Airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa Fuel Port
The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Royal Air Force Typhoon jets struck a drone manufacturing site south of Sana’a using precision-guided Paveway IV bombs. The attack was carried out at night to reduce civilian risk. Although the Houthis acknowledged multiple strikes near Sana’a and Saada, no official casualty figures were released.
This marks Britain’s first strike in the campaign since President Trump took office, despite prior UK participation in joint operations during Biden’s term. The broader US-led offensive has already seen over 800 strikes since mid-March, drawing increasing scrutiny after recent deadly incidents in Yemen.
