US, British militaries launch new round of joint strikes against multiple Houthi sites in Yemen

The US and British militaries bombed multiple targets in eight locations used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Monday night, the second time the two allies have conducted coordinated retaliatory strikes on an array of the rebels' missile-launching capabilities.

According to officials, the US and UK used warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out Houthi missile storage sites, drones and launchers. 

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation, said Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands contributed to the mission, including with intelligence and surveillance.

In a joint statement, the six allied nations said the strikes specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis' missile and air surveillance capabilities. 

They added, Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.

Britain's Ministry of Defense confirmed that four Royal Air Force Typhoon jets struck multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield with precision-guided bombs. 

The strikes, said Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, were aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities and would deal another blow to their limited stockpiles and ability to threaten global trade.

One senior US military official told reporters the strikes dropped between 25 and 30 munitions and hit multiple targets in each location, adding that the US observed good impacts and effects at all sites, including the destruction of more advanced weapons in the underground storage facility. 

The official said this is the first time such advanced weapons were targeted.

The official also said fighter jets from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier conducted strikes, and other ships involved included the USS Gravely and USS Mason, both naval destroyers, and the USS Philippine Sea, a cruiser.

The joint operation comes about 10 days after US and British warships and fighter jets struck more than 60 targets in 28 locations.

That was the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with President Joe Biden earlier Monday. Sunak's office said the two leaders agreed to take as needed, targeted military action to degrade Houthi capabilities.