UK Joins U.S. in First Trump-Era Strike on Houthis in Yemen

In a significant escalation of military efforts, British and American forces launched joint airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Tuesday—marking the first UK-confirmed operation alongside the U.S. since President Donald Trump intensified the campaign against the Iran-backed group.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the operation in a statement released Wednesday, stating that Royal Air Force Typhoon jets targeted a group of buildings south of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. These structures were reportedly used to manufacture drones, which the Houthis have deployed in maritime attacks.

According to the UK, the precision airstrike was meticulously planned to minimize civilian casualties and avoid damage to non-military infrastructure. All British aircraft returned safely after the nighttime mission.

The Houthis, who claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict, have been launching repeated attacks on U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These waterways are crucial for global trade—and recent assaults have forced a dramatic drop in shipping activity.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the joint strike aimed to halt these attacks, noting that maritime traffic through the Red Sea has plunged by 55% since late 2023, disrupting regional stability and impacting the UK’s economy.

Although the UK has participated in joint operations against the Houthis before, this marks the first time it has publicly acknowledged a strike since Trump’s renewed military push began. The campaign, dubbed Operation Rough Rider, kicked off on March 15 and has seen the U.S. conduct over 800 strikes targeting oil refineries, missile sites, airports, and drone facilities across Yemen.

Despite the intensity of the campaign, U.S. officials admit that the strikes have yet to significantly degrade Houthi capabilities. The militants have successfully shot down multiple high-tech American drones, complicating the Pentagon’s ability to move into the next phase of the operation.

On Monday, the Houthis claimed that a U.S. airstrike hit a prison housing African migrants, killing dozens. In response, U.S. Central Command said it is investigating the report and emphasized that it takes any claims of civilian casualties seriously.

Tuesday’s coordinated strike is being viewed as a strategic message of unity between Washington and London as they seek to counter the Houthi threat to international shipping. British officials stressed that the action aligns with the UK’s long-standing policy to protect freedom of navigation and international maritime law.