According to the Pentagon, fighter planes from the US and UK have conducted strikes on 18 Houthi sites in Yemen, marking the fourth joint operation by the allies.

The US reports that the strikes on Saturday targeted storage facilities, drones, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter belonging to the militant movement.

The UK states that the allies' actions were aimed at further weakening Houthi capabilities.

The Red Sea trade route has faced sustained attacks from the Iran-backed Houthis, who control significant portions of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. They have targeted vessels they claim are associated with Israel and the West in response to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

As a result of some of the largest shipping companies redirecting journeys away from the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, global supply chains are experiencing significant disruption and increased costs.

In a joint statement, the Pentagon explained that Saturday's strikes were "necessary and proportionate" and specifically targeted 18 Houthi sites across eight locations in Yemen, including underground weapons storage facilities, missile storage facilities, unmanned aerial systems for one-way attacks, air defense systems, radars, and a helicopter.

These precision strikes aimed to disrupt and degrade the capabilities used by the Houthis to threaten global trade, naval vessels, and the safety of innocent mariners in one of the world's most crucial waterways.

The statement said "the Houthis' now more than 45 attacks on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November constitute a threat to the global economy, as well as regional security and stability, and demand an international response".

The strikes were carried out "with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand", the statement added.

Shortly afterwards, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that America "will not hesitate to take action, as needed, to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways".

Separately, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said "it is our duty to protect lives at sea and preserve freedom of navigation".

"That is why the Royal Air Force engaged in a fourth wave of precision strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen".

The US military said earlier in the day that it had destroyed seven Houthi mobile anti-ship missiles that were being prepared for strikes.

Earlier this week, the crew of a Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo vessel have abandoned ship off Yemen after it was hit by missiles fired by the Houthis.

Noted