UK and US Strike Houthi Targets in Yemen as Red Sea Crisis Spirals.

The United Kingdom has confirmed its first public joint airstrike with the United States against Houthi forces in Yemen, marking a renewed phase in the international military effort to curb attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea.

The Royal Air Force struck what it described as a “cluster of buildings” south of the capital, Sanaa, used by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels to manufacture drones. These drones have played a central role in the group’s ongoing attacks on commercial vessels and US Navy warships operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The strikes, carried out on Tuesday night, involved Typhoon fighter jets deploying precision-guided munitions in an operation that British defense officials say was carefully planned to minimize harm to civilians and non-military infrastructure.

“All RAF aircraft returned safely,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement released Wednesday morning. “This operation was consistent with our long-standing commitment to defend freedom of navigation and protect international shipping.”

Rising Threat in a Vital Trade Corridor

The Houthis, who control significant portions of northern Yemen, have launched dozens of attacks on vessels in international waters since November 2023. The group claims its campaign is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas last October.

These strikes have paralyzed shipping in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors, causing a reported 55% decline in Red Sea traffic and inflating global trade costs.

British Defense Secretary John Healey said the Houthi actions are destabilizing the region and impacting the UK economy. “We cannot allow hostile forces to shut down global trade routes with impunity,” he said. “The cost of inaction would be far greater.”

Operation Rough Rider and Mounting Civilian Toll

The latest joint UK-US operation comes amid a much larger campaign led by Washington, dubbed Operation Rough Rider. Launched by the Trump administration in mid-March, the campaign has seen over 800 airstrikes targeting Houthi missile sites, oil refineries, drone storage, and command centers.

Despite the sheer scale of the bombardment, US officials admit progress has been uneven. Houthi militants have adapted by dispersing equipment and relying on rugged terrain to shield key sites.

They’ve also successfully shot down several American drones, each worth millions of dollars, complicating US efforts to escalate to what officials refer to as “phase two” of the operation.

On Monday, the conflict took a darker turn after Houthi sources accused the US of bombing a detention center in Saada that was holding African migrants. Local reports claimed dozens were killed. In response, US Central Command said it was investigating the claims and conducting a full battle-damage assessment.

Just two weeks earlier, another US airstrike on the Ras Isa oil terminal reportedly left over 70 dead. Both incidents have drawn sharp rebukes from humanitarian groups, which warn of growing civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, already reeling from years of war.

Sanctions and Global Response

In an effort to economically isolate the Houthis, the US Treasury announced new sanctions this week targeting three shipping companies accused of transporting oil and gas to ports controlled by the rebels. Washington hopes to choke off financial flows that help the group buy weapons and sustain its operations.

Meanwhile, Russia and Iran have condemned the airstrikes, accusing the US and UK of stoking regional instability. Iran has denied arming the Houthis, although evidence gathered by UN investigators and Western intelligence agencies points to Tehran’s deep involvement.

Naval Defenses Evolve as Drones Proliferate

As drone threats escalate in the region, NATO naval forces have adapted their defensive strategies. Warships are increasingly relying on conventional deck-mounted guns to neutralize low-cost aerial drones, a shift that defense analysts say reflects both strategic efficiency and economic necessity.

These systems provide a quicker, more sustainable alternative to deploying high-cost missile interceptors against inexpensive unmanned threats.

“The Red Sea is emerging as a proving ground for modern naval warfare,” said a senior Western defense official. “What we’re witnessing is the rapid evolution of counter-drone tactics in response to asymmetric threats.” 

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