London: Britain announced it collaborated with US forces in launching air strikes on a Houthi military target in Yemen, specifically targeting a drone production facility located approximately 25 km south of Sanaa. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the successful execution of the operation in a statement released on Wednesday.
According to France24.com, the joint military operation was conducted on Tuesday and targeted a Houthi facility known for producing drones used in attacks on shipping. This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s recent directive to intensify US military actions against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, aiming to halt their assaults on Red Sea shipping routes.
The operation was timed to occur after dark to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, as per the British statement, which also confirmed the safe return of their aircraft. However, there was no immediate comment from the US military regarding the operation.
Reports from Houthi-controlled media earlier claimed that a US air
strike had resulted in 68 fatalities at a detention center for African migrants in Yemen, an event for which a US defense official indicated an ongoing assessment of civilian casualty claims.
In recent months, US strikes in Yemen have reportedly resulted in significant casualties, with a mid-April strike on an oil terminal causing 74 deaths, marking the deadliest incident under Trump’s administration, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. This has raised concerns among rights advocates regarding the impact on civilians.
The US military has stated that since mid-March, it has targeted over 800 sites, resulting in the deaths of numerous Houthi fighters and leaders while dismantling the group’s facilities.
The Houthis have maintained control over large areas of Yemen over the past decade. Since November 2023, they have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea, claiming these actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has seen over 52,000 casualties in Gaza, as reported by Gaza’s
health ministry, amidst accusations of genocide and war crimes against Israel, which Israel denies.
The escalation in violence between Israelis and Palestinians was reignited in October 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and the taking of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.