United Kingdom Participates in U.S. Airstrike on Houthi Site in Yemen, Marking First Time since Donald Trump's Re-election
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The UK recently joined US forces in attacking a Houthi target in Yemen, marking the first such operation since Donald Trump's re-election in 2024. This move comes as a response to the Houthi's attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the strikes, which took place on Tuesday, were a part of the government's strategic plan to safeguard national and economic security. The ministry revealed that a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture drones used to attack ships was targeted, located 15 miles south of the capital Sanaa.
RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducted the strikes using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs, with air refuelling support from Voyager tankers. The strike was executed after dark to minimize the potential of civilian casualties, and all the aircraft returned safely.
Defence Secretary John Healey stated, "We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping." He added that Houthi activities in the Red Sea pose a "persistent threat" to "freedom of navigation."
Since Trump's re-election, the UK's military involvement in Yemen has primarily focused on joint operations with the US against Houthi targets, particularly on securing the Red Sea. This operation marks a significant escalation in the UK's military role compared to pre-2024 engagements, occurring amid heightened US-Iran nuclear negotiations and Houthi disruption of Suez Canal traffic.
It's worth noting that this joint operation aligns with the US-led efforts since March 2025, which have included over 800 American strikes on Houthi targets. The Houthis have claimed their attacks – including over 20 ballistic missiles launched at Israel since March 2025 – are responses to Israel's Gaza operations, a justification rejected by the UK. No earlier UK strikes in Yemen have been reported since Trump's 2024 re-election prior to this operation.
Did You Know?Following Donald Trump's November 2024 re-election, UK military involvement in Yemen centered on joint operations with the US against Houthi targets, particularly focusing on Red Sea security. Here's the key timeline:- April 2025 UK-US Joint Airstrike: On 29 April 2025, the UK conducted its first publicly acknowledged military operation in Yemen under the Trump administration's renewed campaign ("Operation Rough Rider"). The strike aimed to degrade Houthi capabilities to attack international shipping, which had caused a 55% drop in Red Sea traffic, threatening global trade.- Operational Details: The site produced drones used in attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Conducted after dark to minimize civilian risk, with pre-strike intelligence analysis to avoid non-military infrastructure. All UK aircraft returned safely; no casualty reports provided.- Contextual Background: This joint operation aligns with US-led efforts since March 2025, which have included over 800 American strikes on Houthi targets, such as the deadly 18 April 2025 Ras Isa port strike (74 killed). The Houthis claim their attacks are responses to Israel's Gaza operations, a justification rejected by the UK.
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- The latest war in Yemen, involving the UK and US forces, was confirmed to be a part of the government's strategic plan to safeguard national and economic security, as a response to Houthi attacks on international shipping.
- The Ministry of Defence revealed that this attacking of Houthi targets, which occurred amid heightened US-Iran nuclear negotiations and Houthi disruption of Suez Canal traffic, marks a significant escalation in the UK's military role compared to pre-2024 engagements.
- Following Donald Trump's November 2024 re-election, the UK's military involvement in Yemen has primarily focused on joint operations with the US against Houthi targets, with the Red Sea security being the primary focus.
- The war-and-conflicts section of general news has reported a key timeline of UK's military operations in Yemen, including the April 2025 UK-US Joint Airstrike, aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities to attack international shipping, which had caused a significant drop in Red Sea traffic, threatening global trade.
