Overview

• The UK Royal Air Force carried out precision nighttime strikes on Houthi drone manufacturing sites 15 miles south of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, marking its first involvement in Operation Rough Rider under Trump’s re-elected administration.
• The strikes, conducted with Paveway IV guided bombs, were aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities to launch drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
• UK Defense Secretary John Healey emphasized the operation's goal to protect global trade routes, citing a 55% drop in Red Sea shipping caused by Houthi attacks, which has cost billions and destabilized the region.
• All UK aircraft returned safely after the mission, which was planned to minimize civilian harm by being conducted after dark with detailed intelligence analysis.
• The operation follows allegations that a US airstrike on a migrant detention center in Yemen killed 68 people, with the US military currently investigating the claims.