Daijiworld Media Network - Sanaa

Sanaa, Apr 30: Forces from the United States and the United Kingdom have carried out joint air strikes near Yemen's capital Sanaa, targeting drone manufacturing facilities allegedly operated by the Houthi armed group.

The UK ministry of defence confirmed the strikes on Wednesday, stating that the operation, conducted about 24 kilometers south of Sanaa, hit buildings identified as drone production sites. These drones have reportedly been used in attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, a key international shipping route.

The British authorities explained that the operation was carefully planned to minimize civilian casualties, although no specific figures were provided. The US, which has launched hundreds of strikes in Yemen since mid-March, has not commented on the joint operation.

In mid-March, US President Donald Trump ordered military action against the Houthis, citing their continued attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Pentagon has since reported that over 1,000 targets have been struck, killing Houthi fighters and leaders, while degrading their operational capabilities.

However, concerns about civilian casualties are rising. According to Houthi-affiliated media, a US strike on Monday hit a detention centre holding African migrants, killing 68 people. Additionally, Mwatana for Human Rights, a Sanaa-based rights group, claims to have documented hundreds of civilian deaths in recent US airstrikes.

Radhya al-Mutawakel, chairwoman of Mwatana, condemned the attacks, stating, "Yemeni civilians have been the targets of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks by warring parties" for over a decade.

An unnamed US official told Reuters that the Pentagon is aware of the claims of civilian casualties and is conducting an assessment.

The Houthis, who have controlled significant parts of Yemen for nearly a decade, have escalated missile and drone attacks on vessels they claim are linked to Israel in the Red Sea since November 2023, disrupting global maritime supply routes.