UK, US conduct joint airstrike on Houthi drone facilities in Yemen

British and American armed forces carried out a coordinated military operation in Yemen on April 29, targeting sites used by Houthi militants for drone production.

The operation marked another joint action in response to Houthi threats to maritime security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) participated alongside the US military in an airstrike that focused on multiple buildings approximately 15 miles (about 24 kilometres) south of the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, Caliber.Az reports, citing the announcement on the official website of the British government.

According to a statement from the British Ministry of Defence, these structures were being used to manufacture drones of the type employed by the Houthis in recent attacks on international shipping lanes.

The UK Ministry of Defence explained that the operation was consistent with the government’s long-standing position, reaffirmed after the Houthis launched a campaign of attacks in November 2023. Those attacks, which included drone and missile strikes against civilian vessels in the Red Sea, resulted in multiple casualties and were seen as a direct threat to international shipping and regional stability.

"A detailed intelligence assessment identified a network of buildings used by the Houthis for assembling and deploying drones that have targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden," the ministry said. It added that the airstrike was preceded by rigorous planning to minimise any risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure.

The UK contribution to the operation included Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets, which were supported in-flight by Voyager aerial refuelling tankers. The RAF jets deployed Paveway IV precision-guided bombs to strike the selected targets.

"This action followed a meticulous planning process to ensure high accuracy in neutralising military objectives while avoiding harm to civilian areas," the UK government emphasised.

By Tamilla Hasanova