The United Kingdom‘s air force participated for the first time during this campaign in a recent U.S. operation earlier this week targeting the Houthis in Yemen.
Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s dropped Paveway IV precision-guided bombs at “a cluster of buildings” where the Houthis manufacture drones they use to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, according to the U.K. Ministry of Defense.
“This government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security,” Secretary of State for Defense John Healey said. “RAF Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen, and all U.K. aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base. We conducted these strikes, supported by the U.S., to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against U.K. and International shipping.”
The ministry said the operation “was conducted after dark” to reduce the “likelihood of any civilians being in the area,” and all U.K. aircraft returned safely.
The Iran-backed Houthis began launching drones and missiles at ships transiting the waterways off Yemen’s coast in solidarity with Palestinians affected by the Israel-Hamas war, which started in October 2023. They have disrupted global shipping and have targeted U.S. military vessels in the area.
The United States and the U.K. launched several iterations of strikes against the Houthis over multiple months last year.
In mid-March, the U.S. restarted a more aggressive campaign known as Operation Rough Rider against the Houthis. This week was the first time the U.K. participated in direct strikes under the Starmer government and the Trump administration. Rishi Sunak was the prime minister the last time the U.K. carried out direct strikes against the Houthis.
“U.K. forces have been provided routine allied air-to-air refuelling support to aid the self-defence of U.S. forces launching strikes in the region,” a ministry spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
CENTCOM officials said Sunday that U.S. forces have “struck over 800 targets,” killed “hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” and destroyed multiple command-and-control facilities, air defense systems, and more. U.S. strikes also ended the Ras Isa Port’s ability to accept fuel.
CENTCOM INVESTIGATES REPORTS YEMEN STRIKE KILLED DOZENS OF MIGRANTS
“CENTCOM is conducting strikes across multiple locations of Iran-backed Houthi locations every day and night in Yemen. This sustained, aggressive series of operations is designed to restore freedom of navigation and American deterrence,” a U.S. Department of Defense official told the Washington Examiner. “The U.S. has hit targets in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, destroying command and control facilities, weapons manufacturing facilities, and advanced weapons storage locations. We have confirmed the death of several Houthi leaders.”
Another recent U.S. strike reportedly hit a migrant detention center, allegedly killing 68 people and wounding nearly 50 others. A defense official told the Washington Examiner, “We are currently conducting our battle-damage assessment and inquiry into those claims.”