UK defence ministry comments on overnight attack on Houthis in Yemen

British forces used four fighter jets that launched guided bombs to strike the Houthis.

They were also supported by a refuelling plane, Caliber.Az reports, citing the press service of the British Defence Ministry.

“Given the persistence of the Houthis in threatening merchant ships, several of which have already suffered damage, and the deliberate targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on 9 January, coalition forces identified key facilities involved in these attacks, and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis’ capability to violate international law in this manner,” the ministry said.

It is reported that four British Air Force Typhoon FGR4 aircraft supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker took part in the strike. The planes are known to have used Paveway IV guided bombs to deliver precision strikes on two Houthi sites. One was a site at Bani in northwestern Yemen, which was used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones.

“The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft,” Britain's Ministry of Defence said.

It is noted that in planning the strikes, special attention was paid to minimizing any risks to civilians. The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the ability of the Houthis to threaten commercial shipping has been undermined.