Brussels – The British Air Force has launched its first joint attack with the United States against Houthi rebels in Yemen since Donald Trump took office.
UK defense secretary John Healey announced the news, providing detailed information this morning (April 30) on the reason for the raid: “This action was taken in response to the persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation. A 55 percent drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fueling regional instability and risking the economic security of families in the UK.”
According to sources, several raids were launched against the capital, Sanaa, which has been in Houthi hands since 2014, while other attacks targeted the area around Saada. Healey described the target of the operation as “a cluster of buildings, used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, located some fifteen miles south of Sanaa.” Jet Typhoon FGR4s of the Royal Air Force were used for the operation, dropping remote-controlled bombs on the targets. As for the damage caused or the presence of any victims, the UK did not provide details, while the US Central Command has not officially acknowledged the attack. “The strike was conducted after dark when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced yet further,” the British DefenseDefense Ministry said.
The United Kingdom has already taken part in joint operations with the United States in Yemen under the Joe Biden administration, which launched the campaign against pro-Iranian Houthi in January 2024. However, this new operation constitutes the first involvement in the Trump-led campaign. Since last March 15, his administration has launched over 800 attacks in Yemen, most notably striking this Monday (April 28) a detention center for migrants in Saada, killing 68 people, mainly African civilians, as Yemeni media reported. In contrast, on April 18, a raid against the port of Ras Isa killed 74 people and wounded 171. The United States, which has maintained a less-than-transparent policy toward its operations in the area, has intensified its clashes against the Houthis in a bid to support Israel and especially to contrast Iran. After the fall of Hezbollah, Assad, and Hamas leadership, the Houthis remain Tehran’s last allies in the region.
The British decision to join the Americans at this very moment could be linked to Trump’s intended negotiating initiatives with Iran, given the rapid progress of the Islamic Republic in its nuclear program.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
