UK, US Launch Airstrikes on Houthis    04/30 06:01

   The British military launched airstrikes with the United States targeting 
Yemen's Houthi rebels, officials said early Wednesday, their first attack in 
Washington's new intense campaign targeting the Iran-backed group.

   DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The British military launched airstrikes 
with the United States targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels, officials said early 
Wednesday, their first attack in Washington's new intense campaign targeting 
the Iran-backed group.

   The United Kingdom offered a detailed explanation for launching the strike, 
in a departure from the U.S., which has offered few details about the more than 
800 strikes it has conducted since beginning its campaign on March 15.

   The campaign, called "Operation Rough Rider," has been targeting the rebels 
as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over 
Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

   UK strike hits near Yemen's capital

   The U.K. Defense Ministry described the site attacked as "a cluster of 
buildings, used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack 
ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, located some 15 miles (25 kilometers) 
south of Sanaa."

   Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s took part in the raid, dropping Paveway IV 
guided bombs, the ministry added.

   "The strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians 
being in the area was reduced yet further," the ministry said.

   The British offered no information on the damage done in the strike, nor 
whether they believed anyone had been killed. The U.S. military's Central 
Command didn't acknowledge the strike.

   "This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis 
to freedom of navigation," U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said. "A 55% drop 
in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fueling regional 
instability and risking economic security for families in the U.K."

   The Houthis reported several strikes around Yemen's capital, Sanaa, which 
the group has held since 2014. Other strikes hit around Saada.

   The British have taken part in airstrikes alongside the U.S. since the Biden 
administration began its campaign of strikes targeting the Houthis back in 
January 2024. However, this new strike is the first to see the British involved 
in the campaign under U.S. President Donald Trump.

   UK strike comes after US allegedly hit prison

   The joint U.K.-U.S. strike follows an alleged U.S. airstrike on Monday that 
hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 
47 others. The U.S. military said it was investigating.

   On April 18, an American strike on the Ras Isa fuel port killed at least 74 
people and wounded 171 others in the deadliest-known attack of the U.S. 
campaign.

   The U.S. is conducting strikes on Yemen from its two aircraft carriers in 
the region -- the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in 
the Arabian Sea, targeting the Houthis because of the group's attacks on 
shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel.

   The Houthis are the last militant group in Iran's self-described "Axis of 
Resistance" that is capable of regularly attacking Israel. The rebels began 
their attacks over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli 
decision to block the flow of aid to Palestinians.

   The American strikes have drawn controversy in the United States over 
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the unclassified Signal messaging app 
to post sensitive details about the attacks.