In a significant escalation of Western military involvement in Yemen, the United Kingdom confirmed it carried out joint airstrikes with the United States against Houthi targets near the capital Sanaa on Tuesday night. This marks the first publicly acknowledged joint UK-US operation since President Donald Trump initiated “Operation Rough Rider” in March, vowing to crush Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping.
The UK Ministry of Defence said RAF Typhoon FGR4 jets deployed precision-guided bombs on a “cluster of buildings” used by the Iran-backed militant group to manufacture drones. These drones have been central to the Houthis’ maritime campaign, which has targeted international shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October 2023.
“Very careful planning” ensured the mission minimized civilian risk, the ministry noted, and all aircraft returned safely.
The Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels and US Navy ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—chokepoints critical to global trade. The UK defense secretary, John Healey, said the strikes aimed to stem these attacks, which he blamed for a 55% drop in Red Sea shipping, regional instability, and economic strain on Britain.
While the UK previously participated in joint strikes in 2024, this is its first public confirmation of involvement under Trump’s renewed offensive. Since mid-March, the US has executed over 800 strikes in Yemen, targeting oil refineries, missile sites, and airfields. However, Houthi capabilities remain largely intact, with many US drones shot down and further operations delayed.
In a troubling development, the Houthis alleged a recent US airstrike hit a prison for African migrants, killing dozens. US Central Command said it is investigating those civilian casualty claims as part of its ongoing damage assessment.
