In a significant move, the British military has joined forces with the United States in launching airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, officials revealed early Wednesday. This marks the UK's first engagement alongside America in the aggressive campaign against the Iranian-supported faction.

Breaking from the US's tight-lipped approach, which has seen over 800 strikes since March 15 with scant details shared, the UK provided an extensive justification for its decision to strike.

Dubbed "Operation Rough Rider," the offensive aims at the insurgents while the Trump administration is in talks with Iran, the Houthis' primary sponsor, concerning Tehran's swiftly progressing nuclear capabilities.

The UK Defense Ministry pinpointed the target 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 FGR4 jets were involved in the operation, deploying Paveway IV precision-guided munitions, the ministry disclosed.

The ministry noted that the assault was carried out after nightfall to further minimize the risk to civilians.

However, the British have not released any details regarding the outcome of the strike or if there were any casualties. Meanwhile, the US military's Central Command has yet to acknowledge the airstrike.

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

The Houthis have reported multiple strikes in areas around Yemen's capital, Sanaa, which has been under their control since 2014; further attacks have targeted the region around Saada.

It has been disclosed that the British forces have been involved in coordinated airstrikes with the U.S., echoing the Biden administration's offensive against the Houthis initiated back in January 2024. Notably, this most recent operation marks the first instance of British involvement under Trump's term in office.

This joint U.K.-U.S. effort comes after an incident on Monday claimed to be a U.S. strike, which purportedly hit a detention centre housing African migrants, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 68 individuals and injury to 47 others. The incident is currently under scrutiny by U.S. military investigations.

In a significant strike on April 18, targeting the Ras Isa fuel port, at least 74 people were reported dead with 171 injured, marking this attack as the deadliest within the American campaign to date.

Meanwhile, serving as a hub for America's aerial operations in Yemen are its two strategically positioned aircraft carriers—the USS Harry S. Truman in the strategic waters of the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea.

The US is taking aim at the Houthis due to their assaults on shipping in the Red Sea, a vital artery for global trade, and on Israel. The Houthis stand as the final militant faction within Iran's proclaimed "Axis of Resistance" with the capacity to consistently target Israel.

Meanwhile, controversy has erupted stateside over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to use the unclassified Signal messaging app to share sensitive information regarding the attacks.