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| US-UK flew surveillance drones in Yemen |
US and UK conduct joint drone operation against Houthi forces in Yemen
In a coordinated effort, the US and UK have launched a joint drone campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen following recent military actions. A senior Houthi official revealed the news on Sunday, saying surveillance drones had been flying over the port city of Hodeidah for several hours.
According to reports, the drones monitored activity near the port of Hodeidah on Saturday, where American and British forces are actively monitoring the area. The development comes on the heels of renewed US airstrikes in the area as tensions continue to rise.
Hodeidah Region Deputy Governor Ali Ahmed Kashar confirmed multiple sightings of surveillance drones over the city from morning to evening. He expressed concern about increased drone activity and dismissed local and international media reports of new American airstrikes on Houthi sites in the region.
Earlier reports in local media suggested that a US-led coalition had carried out airstrikes near the port of Hodeidah targeting Houthi naval bases. After the attack, residents claimed to have heard explosions and sirens from ambulances, prompting Houthi forces to retaliate by intensifying their military operations in the Hodeidah area.
Houthi officials did not comment on the reported airstrikes. It is known that the Houthi forces use the Ras Katib naval base in the Red Sea for both commercial and military purposes.
Hodeidah is a strategically important city on the Red Sea and Yemen's second largest port. Since 2014, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have controlled Hodeidah, gaining influence in the region.
In response to the rising tensions, the newly appointed UN special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has called for restraint from all parties involved. On Friday, American and British military forces attacked 28 Houthi positions in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. In response, Houthi leaders have vowed to retaliate, escalating the conflict.
President Joe Biden issued a warning that more military action against the Houthi forces could be imminent if they do not stop their attacks on commercial and military ships in the strategically important Red Sea.
Over the past two months, Iran-backed Houthi forces have launched a series of attacks on Israeli-affiliated ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim the moves are in solidarity with the Palestinians in response to the Israeli aggression in Gaza. The situation in the region remains tense as the conflict shows no signs of abating.