UK jets strike two rebel missile launch sites in attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen, minister tells LBC

12 January 2024, 08:15 | Updated: 12 January 2024, 08:40

RAF Typhoon jets successfully launched strikes on two Houthi rebel missile launch sites in Yemen
RAF Typhoon jets successfully launched strikes on two Houthi rebel missile launch sites in Yemen. Picture: Ministry of Defence

By Asher McShane

RAF Typhoon jets successfully launched strikes on two Houthi rebel missile launch sites in Yemen, the Armed Forces minister confirmed to LBC this morning.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

James Heappey told Nick Ferrari that a total of 14 targets were struck as part of a joint operation with the US Navy.

The two targets struck by British forces were launch sites used to target warships and commercial shipping in the southern Red Sea with missiles and drones, Mr Heappey confirmed.

The Typhoons successfully struck their targets and returned to safely to base at around 3am.

Other targets hit as part of the joint operation included launch sites, control sites and ammunition storage sites.

Mr Heappey told LBC: “Both targets were successfully hit”

The US led strikes on Yemen killed at least five people, wounded six and will not go “unanswered”, a Yemeni rebel Houthi official said today.

Watch the moment RAF jets strike Houthi military targets in Yemen

The UK and allies have vowed to "defend lives" and "ensure the free flow of commerce" in the Red Sea after a series of strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen were carried out overnight.

Speaking after 60 targets were hit across 16 locations in Yemen were hit overnight, the UK, the US, and eight other governments said the strikes were carried out "to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade".

Vessels Red Sea have faced a series of attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in recent months, which have threatened to disrupt global trade.

The Red Sea is vital to the free flow of goods global, with vessels traveling between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea every year, shortening the journey between Asia and Europe by nearly half.

The Houthis' deputy foreign minister has since warned that the US and UK will "pay a heavy price" for this "blatant aggression".

Read More: UK and US launch strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as Sunak warns Red Sea attacks 'cannot stand'

Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak. Picture: Getty

In their statement, the allies said there had been "illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea".

The governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States said: "The Houthis’ more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge.

"Today’s action demonstrated a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce, and defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks.

"Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats."

Read it in full: Rishi Sunak's statement on 'targeted strikes' in Yemen

In his own statement, the US President Joe Biden said he would not hesistate to authorise more military action against the Houthis.

"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes," Mr Biden said.

"I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."

The RAF flew four Typhoon jets to conduct precision strikes against two Houthi military targets in Yemen
The RAF flew four Typhoon jets to conduct precision strikes against two Houthi military targets in Yemen. Picture: MoD

Around 60 targets across 16 locations in Yemen were hit overnight, a senior US Air Force commander has said.

‘‘Over 100 precision-guided munitions of various types were used in the strikes,’’ according to Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich.

‘‘These strikes were comprised of coalition air and maritime strike and support assets from across the region.’’

He added: ‘‘We remain committed to our critical partners throughout the Middle East to defend against Iranian-backed Militia Groups, including Houthi militants, and the threat they pose to regional security and stability.”

Four RAF Typhoons conducted precision strikes on two Houthi military targets alongside US forces
Four RAF Typhoons conducted precision strikes on two Houthi military targets alongside US forces. Picture: MoD/Grant Shapps

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said coalition forces identified key facilities involved in Houthi targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on Tuesday "and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis' capability to violate international law in this manner"."

Particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians," the MoD added.

It is the first time strikes have been launched against the Iran-backed group since it started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year.

Rishi Sunak confirmed the strikes on Friday morning, saying in a statement that the UK will "always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

People thought to be migrants board a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel. Picture date: Saturday May 31, 2025.

Starmer 'loses control' on immigration as 1,200 migrants cross Channel in a day

US prosecutors allege Miller was working with a Chinese national to illegally acquire weapons systems and other classified equipment for the Chinese government.

British businessman 'caught spying for China' faces 40 years in US prison after FBI sting

Dani captioned the post of the newly weds 'The Bowens'

Love Island's Dani Dyer and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen tie knot in 'Bridgerton-inspired' ceremony

Paris St Germain sweep aside Inter Milan to win Champions League

Paris St-Germain thrash Inter Milan with record 5-0 win - becoming Champions of Europe for the first time

A group of people thought to be migrants onboard a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel. Picture date: Saturday May 31, 2025.

Coastguard resources 'stretched thin' by migrant rescues as fishing boats urged to help yacht in trouble

Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was killed in an Israeli airstrike

Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar 'eliminated' in airstrike on tunnel under south Gaza hospital, IDF confirms

Brandon Moore is a rugby league player.

Rugby league star missing as wife issues desperate plea to find father of three

Thicke and his long-term partner tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

'Through Thicke and thin': Robin Thicke gets hitched to model April Love Geary in Mexico after seven-year engagement

Police officers look at the remains of a crashed plane on the terrace of a residential building in Korschenbroich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (David Young/dpa via AP)

Two people die after small plane crashes into house in Germany

Aziz Ziriat had been hiking in the Dolomites with his friend.

Body of British hiker missing in Italy since January found at foot of mountain as family praise rescuers' 'commitment'

Emergency services were called to Frith Road, Croydon, just after 9am on Saturday and treated two injured people at the scene.

Woman in her 20s stabbed to death in 'tragic' incident in Croydon as man arrested on suspicion of murder

WFP distribute flour to Palestinians struggling with hunger in Gaza.

Dozens of UN food lorries 'blocked and emptied' by desperate Palestinians

Hamas has agreed to release 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in response to the US' Gaza ceasefire proposals.

Hamas demands changes to US Gaza ceasefire plan - as US envoy Steve Witkoff slams 'totally unacceptable' proposal

Emergency services responded on Friday to a report of two children, a boy and a girl, who were facing difficulty in the water near the Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, Kent.

Body found in search for missing girl who vanished in the River Thames as rescued boy remains in stable condition

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, at NATO headquarters

Pete Hegseth warns Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be 'imminent'

Michael Mosley died while on holiday with his wife on the Greek island of Symi last year

Michael Mosley's family set up research project in his memory after TV doctor's tragic death on Greek island