Latest news with #RAFTyphoons
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK launches Yemen airstrikes, joining US campaign against Houthi rebels
British fighter jets joined their US counterparts in airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels overnight, the first military action authorised by the Labour government and the first UK participation in an aggressive American bombing campaign against the group. RAF Typhoons, refuelled by Voyager air tankers, targeted a cluster of buildings 15 miles south of the capital, Sana'a, which the UK said were used by the Houthis to manufacture drones that had targeted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The British defence secretary, John Healey, said the attack was launched in response to 'a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation'. The Iran-backed group has attacked merchant shipping and western warships, leading to a sharp drop in trade flows. Related: Trump promised peace but brings rapid increase in civilian casualties to Yemen | Dan Sabbagh 'A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK,' Healey said in a social media post shortly after midnight. Britain had joined with the US to conduct five rounds of airstrikes against the Houthis between January and May 2024, part of the Operation Poseidon Archer campaign authorised by the Biden administration, but had not been involved in the fresh and more intense US effort until now. On 15 March, the Trump administration launched a fresh campaign against the Houthis, Operation Rough Rider. There have been 800 targets struck and it has resulted in the deaths of 'hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders', according to the US military's central command. There have also been reports of higher civilian casualties. This week, the Houthis said 68 people were killed when a detention centre holding African migrants was struck in Saada, north-west Yemen, while 80 civilians were reported to have died in an attack on the port of Ras Isa on 18 April. Annie Shiel, the US director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, said the 'US strikes continue to raise significant questions about the precautions taken to prevent civilian harm, as required by both international law and US policy', and noted that there appeared to have been a shift in policy under Donald Trump. Overnight on Tuesday, the UK said it had taken steps to minimise the risk of civilian casualties. The Houthi buildings were targeted with Paveway IV missiles once 'very careful planning had been completed to allow the targets to be prosecuted with minimal risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure', the Ministry of Defence said. It emphasised that 'as a further precaution, the strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced yet further', though no damage assessment was offered at first. Healey later told the Commons that after an initial damage assessment the MoD had said: 'The planned targets were successfully hit and we see no evidence of civilian casualties.' One of the reasons the UK had decided to attack the Houthis was to show support for Washington, Healey said. 'The US continues to be the UK's closest security ally. They're stepping up in the Red Sea. We are alongside them.' There was little immediate comment from the US. Its defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, has said the American military must emphasise 'lethality, lethality, lethality' and has cut programmes intended to minimise civilian harm. News agencies said the Houthis had reported several strikes around Sana'a, which the group has held since 2014, but there were few other details immediately available. Other strikes hit the area around Saada. The Houthis are targeting shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in support of Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza, the subject of a renewed offensive by Israel. A statement from the Houthi administration in Sana'a accused the UK of 'typical British arrogance' and pledged to fight on. 'We emphasise that this attack falls within the ongoing Anglo-American efforts to support the Israeli enemy by attempting to halt Yemen's assistance to Palestine, so that the Israeli enemy can continue its genocide in Gaza,' it said. The US boasts considerably more firepower than the group, but a $60m (£45m) US navy F-18 Super Hornet jet was lost at sea on Tuesday. US officials said initial reports indicated the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier, on which the F-18 was being towed, made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire. That contributed to the fighter jet falling overboard and sinking. The start of Operation Rough Rider caused controversy in the US over Hegseth's use of the unclassified Signal messaging app to post sensitive details about the attacks, including in a group containing a journalist.
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
RAF Typhoons pound Iran-backed Houthis' drone-building facilities with airstrikes in Yemen
British forces carried out airstrikes on a Houthi military target in Yemen overnight, the Ministry of Defence has revealed. The MoD said RAF Typhoons had joined in operation with US forces in targeting the Iran-backed group's drone-making facilities near the capital, Sanaa. Several Typhoon FGR4s used Paveway IV precision guided bombs on a cluster of buildings used on facilities manufacturing drones like those used to target ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in recent months. The MoD said 'very careful planning had been completed to allow the targets to be prosecuted with minimal risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure'. 'We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and International shipping,' said Defence Secretary John Healey. The strikes marked the UK's first involvement with America's new intense campaign targeting the group. The campaign, called 'Operation Rough Rider,' has been targeting the rebels as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. The British offered no information on the damage done in the strike, nor whether it believed anyone had been killed. The U.S. military's Central Command did not acknowledge the strike. 'The strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced yet further,' Britain's defence ministry said. Mr Healey added that all UK aircraft and personnel involved had also safely returned to base. 'This government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security,' he said. 'Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base. He stressed that the Houthis' activities in the Red Sea were a 'persistent threat' to 'freedom of navigation'. 'A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK,' he said. 'The Government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. 'I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the service men and women involved in this operation.' The Houthis claim their actions are in response to Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza - an assertion dismissed by the UK and allies. Britain has taken part in airstrikes alongside the U.S. since the Biden administration began its campaign of strikes targeting the Houthis back in January 2024. A view of destruction after an attack by US warplanes on a shelter center for African irregular migrants in the northern Yemeni city of Sadah on April 29, 2025 The U.S. is conducting strikes on Yemen from its two aircraft carriers in the region - the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea. US forces have struck more than 1,000 targets in Yemen since Washington launched the latest round of its air campaign in mid-March, the Pentagon said Tuesday. The joint U.K.-U.S. strike follows an alleged a U.S. airstrike on Monday that hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 47 others. The U.S. military said it was investigating. On April 18, an American strike on the Ras Isa fuel port killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 others in the deadliest-known attack of the American campaign.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Chilling war games show Russian missiles overwhelming UK with Britain's bases blown to bits and RAF fighter jets blitzed
RUSSIAN missiles overwhelmed Britain in a war game based on the war in Ukraine. Defence chiefs simulated the first night of the war to test the UK's air defences. 11 11 11 11 Air Commodore Blythe Crawford said: 'It was not a pretty picture.' The drills suggested bases would be blown to smithereens and £100 million fighter jets could get blitzed before they could hide. Air Cdre Crawford, who ran the RAF's Air and Space Warfare Centre, said it showed the UK 'home base' was no longer safe. The drills used a £36 million wargaming system to test the UK's responses to 'hundreds of different types of munitions' attacking from multiple different directions. It exposed multiple vulnerabilities including a chronic shortage of airfields and a lack of hardened shelters for protect and hide jets on the ground. The government sold off scores of airfields and watered-down the RAF 's powers to commandeer civilian runways. The UK has no Iron Dome-style air defence system to protect the home nations from incoming missiles. The Armed Forces rely on RAF Typhoons, which scramble from RAF Lossiemouth, to shoot down incoming drones and cruise missiles. The only British missiles that could intercept Russian ballistic missiles are based onboard the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers. Air Cdr Crawford warned Britain had got lax by standing at the edge of Europe and "feeling as though the rest of the continent stood between us and the enemy". He said: " Ukraine has made us all sit up.' He warned that for decades military planners had assumed they were 'safe to operate from the home base because most of the wars we've been fighting have been overseas'. He said: 'We need to reverse that thinking and assume that from here on, we're under threat in the home base now as well.' His warning comes as the government prepares to unveil a blueprint for the future of UK armed forces. 11 11 It is expected to prioritise drones, technolody and missile defence. The test took place on a simulator known as Gladiator after Russia launched its full scale invasion in 2022. But the results have not been revealed until now. Addressing an Air and Missile Defence Conference at London-based RUSI think tank, Air Cmdr Crawford said: "We loaded night one of Ukraine into that synthetic environment and played it out against the UK and as you can imagine it was not a pretty picture. 'It reinforced the fact that we really need to get after this.' The drills were stopped before bases were hit but it triggered an urgent review of the RAF's resilience. Since then Typhoon jets have practised landing on ice and motorways in Finland – as they would have to do if their bases were under attack. Sweden's Grippen fighter jet and Soviet MiG and Sukhoi jets were designed to land on motorways. They deliberately built their roads to be strong enough – and straight enough – for fighter jets to land. 11 11 Speaking before the war in Ukraine, former RAF boss Mike Wigston said pilots needed to practise scrambling at zero notice to prepare for a war with Russia. He said RAF Typhoons and F-35B Lightning jets would have to land on motorways, race tracks and car parks if they held proper fleet dispersal drills for the first time since the Cold War. The plans would see squadrons scatter into 'fighting fours' to cut the risk whole fleets could be wiped out in a single strike. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said it was his duty to prepare for a 'worst case scenario'. Speaking in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where the US Pacific fleet was decimated by a surprise attack in 1941, he said: 'There is a worst case scenario where things we hold dear, parts of the UK, are within range of Russian missiles.' 11 He added: 'It sounds a bit Cold Warry, but there is a pressing requirement to remember how to do it.' RAF pilots practised dispersing to Boscombe Down, in Wiltshire. The former World War Two airfield is used to test prototype aircraft but hasn't been used by an operational squadron for more than 30 years. A defence source said having more airfields made it easier to launch deception plans so that enemies are uncertain where the RAF jets are based. But they warned cost-cutting drives had hamstrung the RAF's military effectiveness.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I'm a garden expert - this simple light bulb swap could stop spiders
If the idea of insects, particularly spiders, invading your personal space is hard to stomach, there are several simple and cost-effective solutions you can try to keep them at bay. While most spiders in the UK pose no threat to humans, accumulating webs in your garden over time can spoil its aesthetic appeal. However, these eight-legged creatures aren't just hanging around to check out your outdoor decor. In reality, they're more interested in the insects attracted by any lights, which serve as their primary food source. These insects are drawn to light sources, making them ideal spots for spiders to weave their traps. You might find that a simple switch of lightbulbs could keep spiders at bay, especially when you're picking out new garden lights for spring that can't be swapped as easily. Jon Saeed, the managing director of said: "Switching to warmer white LED lights can also make a difference, as spiders and insects are more drawn to bright, cool white-toned lighting. READ MORE: Met Office issues Northern Lights alert with 90% chance visibility across parts of UK READ MORE: Pilot fined after RAF Typhoons intercept flight to Manchester in 'first prosecution' of its kind "Opting for amber or yellow-hued lights instead of stark white or blue-toned bulbs could reduce the number of unwanted visitors. It's also important to keep your garden lights clean. Regularly wiping them down not only helps with maintenance but also removes any webs, discouraging spiders from returning." If you're not spending time outdoors in the evenings, dim those lights a touch. The lack of light should send spiders and their insect meals looking elsewhere. Jon advises keeping the vicinity around your garden lights neat and tidy. He explained: "A pile of leaves and debris can be the perfect hiding spot for spiders." As we start to spend more time outdoors with the arrival of spring and summer, there are some other proven methods to deter spiders from encroaching on your space. Spiders don't pick up on smells like humans do, as they lack noses. Instead, they rely on sensory organs in their legs to detect smells in their environment. These are highly sensitive organs, so any strong scent is usually enough to send them to another garden. Popular deterrents include citrus scents, lavender, rose, and eucalyptus. This method of using scents to repel spiders is widely known and can also be used indoors to discourage spiders from venturing inside. But it can't hurt to try them outdoors—usually through sprays or with outdoor candles. We should all refrain from harming spiders, as they're crucial to our garden ecosystems. Eliminating these natural predators may result in the swamping of other unwelcome insects.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire erupts at derelict high school AGAIN as emergency crews race to area
Another blaze broke out at a derelict high school in Trafford on Thursday night (March 20) with emergency services racing to the area. The former Trafford High School building on Lydney Road in Flixton went up in flames at around 5.30pm. A number of fire engines and police vehicles were pictured at the scene. It was just two months ago that the site was set alight, back in January, with a group of youths seen fleeing the area. Police launched an investigation and a hunt for culprits who torched the disused site, which has stood empty since 2020. READ MORE: 'Huge boom' heard across town after van 'explodes' in street and man rushed to hospital READ MORE: Pilot fined after RAF Typhoons forced to intercept flight to Manchester On Thursday evening, fire crews were spotted in attendance again with three fire engines called to the scene after another blaze was reported. The cause has not yet been confirmed. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: 'At around 5.30pm today (Thursday 20 March), three fire engines from Stretford, Sale and Eccles fire stations attended a derelict building fire on Lydney Road, Flixton. 'Crews wearing breathing apparatus arrived quickly and used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. Firefighters remain in attendance at this time." Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for a statement. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
