DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The British military launched airstrikes with the United States targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels, officials said early Wednesday, their first attack in Washington’s new intense campaign targeting the Iran-backed group.

Britain’s military launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Tuesday with US forces, its defense ministry said – the first public acknowledgment of a joint operation since the Trump administration escalated the US campaign against the militant group.

The United States intensified strikes on Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis this year to stop attacks on Red Sea shipping, but rights activists have raised concerns over civilian casualties.