British defence secretary says strikes in response to ‘persistent threat’ to shipping
US and British forces conducted a joint military operation in Yemen on Tuesday, according to Britain’s Ministry of Defence, which said the operation was against a Houthi military target responsible for making drones like those used to attack shipping.
A British statement claimed intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings located 24 km (15 miles) south of Yemen’s capital Sana’a that were used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The US and UK have carried out strikes on Yemen. The Houthis reported several strikes around the capital, Sana’a, which the group has held since 2014. Other strikes hit around Saada
UK defence secretary John Healey said “This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation. A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK”
A British statement said intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings located about 24km (15 miles) south of Yemen’s capital that were used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
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