UK and US Conduct Joint Airstrike on Houthi Drone Facility in Yemen
In a coordinated effort, the United Kingdom has announced it conducted an airstrike in Yemen alongside the United States military. The target of this operation was a drone production facility operated by the Houthis, an Iran-backed Shiite militia that has held significant territory in Yemen for years.
The airstrike occurred approximately 25 kilometers south of the capital, Sanaa, during the night when the likelihood of civilian presence in the targeted area was minimal, as reported by the British Ministry of Defense.
Over the past two years, the UK and the US have executed numerous airstrikes against Houthi installations. However, this represents the first operation by the UK since mid-March, when former President Donald Trump ordered an escalation in bombings against Houthi forces.
Since 2014, the Houthis have been embroiled in a brutal civil war against the Yemeni government, which is recognized by the international community. This conflict has led to more than 150,000 deaths and has contributed to one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world.
As the year 2023 draws to a close, the Houthis have intensified their military operations, which included a series of attacks against cargo ships navigating the Red Sea. These actions sparked a temporary crisis in global maritime trade, and the Houthis have framed these retaliatory strikes as a response to Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the complex interplay of regional conflicts that now influence Yemen's ongoing struggle.
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