The British government on Saturday moved to dispel reports it had conducted strikes against Houthi rebels on Friday night after reports had circulated in international media suggesting strikes had been launched.
The British ministry of defence denied the claims, saying the reports were “false”.
“The UK did not conduct strikes last night,” the ministry said.
Al Hudaydah is a strategic port city on Yemen’s west coast and plays a crucial role in allowing food to be imported into the country. It is home to an estimated 700,000 people and is controlled by the Houthi rebels.
The UK had earlier in the year used its Akrotiri base in Cyprus to conduct bombing raids targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Meanwhile the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported in its latest update that its forces successfully destroyed within last Thursday and Friday six Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
The update added that separately, CENTCOM forces engaged and destroyed three Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) operating off the coast of Yemen.
CENTCOM update concluded that It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region, ant that its forces actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.