Aerial footage has shown the moment British jets struck Houthi military targets in Yemen last night.
UK and US forces bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iran-backed militia in a massive retaliatory strike for attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
The footage, taken from an RAF jet, shows a warplane circling an area with a target in its crosshairs before it is struck by a bomb.
The aftermath of the attack shows flames and smoke billowing up into the air.
Follow live: Houthis vow to retaliate
Image: RAF planes launched from Cyprus on a mission to target Houthi infrastructure in Yemen
Four RAF Typhoon jets used Paveway IV guided bombs on two Houthi facilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
“One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft,” a spokesperson said.
“The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft.”
Read more:Iran says attacks on Yemen ‘clear violation of country’s sovereignty’Analysis: What will happen next?Who are the Houthis?
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Image: An RAF Typhoon aircraft is pictured at RAF Akrotiri following its return after striking military targets in Yemen
Yemeni press agency, SABA, reported attacks took place in the capital, Sana’a, and the governorates of Sa’dah, Hodeidah, Taiz, and Dhamar.
A Houthi official said the strikes killed at least five people and wounded six, adding it won’t go “unanswered”.
The MoD said “particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians” and “any such risks were mitigated further by the decision to conduct the strikes during the night”.
It said early indications suggest “the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow” and the UK commitment to protecting the sea lanes “has been amply demonstrated”.
Source : Sky News
