UK and US carry out fresh wave of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen
The joint strikes were launched by ships and fighter jets aimed at 36 Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen, ITV News Political Correspondent Tom Sheldrick reports
The UK and the United States have carried out a fresh wave of strikes against 36 Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen on Saturday, officials have said.
The latest round of strikes were launched by ships and fighter jets, and marks the third round of joint retaliation attacks meant to further disable Iran-backed groups in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
A joint statement on the strikes from the UK, US, Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand said it was “an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes”.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) also released a statement on Saturday confirming Britain's involvement, while Defence Secretary Grant Shapps added: "This is not an escalation".
The locations hit were those in Yemen involved in the campaign targeting shipping in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al Mandab, the MoD said.
“The Houthis’ attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea are illegal and unacceptable and it is our duty to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom of navigation," Mr Shapps said.
“That is why the Royal Air Force engaged in a third wave of proportionate and targeted strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen.
"We acted alongside our US allies, with the support of many international partners, in self-defence and in accordance with international law.
“This is not an escalation. We have already successfully targeted launchers and storage sites involved in Houthi attacks, and I am confident that our latest strikes have further degraded the Houthis’ capabilities.
“Having recently met those British personnel stationed in the region, I know the dedication and professionalism with which they serve our nation’s armed forces and I would like to thank them for ensuring this operation was a success.”
US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd J. Austin III, said in a statement: "Today, the militaries of the United States and the UK, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted additional strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
"These strikes are intended to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to conduct their reckless and destabilizing attacks against US and international vessels lawfully transiting the Red Sea.
"Coalition forces targeted 13 locations associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.
"This collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels.
"We will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways."
The strikes follow an air assault in Iraq and Syria on Friday that targeted other Iranian-backed groups and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US soldiers in Jordan last weekend.
Earlier on Saturday, the US struck six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles before they were launched toward the Red Sea, US Central Command said.
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