This footage was filmed and produced 12 January 2024.

Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early this morning after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Houthi forces acting in solidarity with Hamas.

The Houthis have carried out a growing number of attacks on what they deem to be Israel-linked shipping in the key international trade route since the eruption of the war in Gaza sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October.

The rebels have controlled a major part of Yemen since a civil war erupted there in 2014 and are part of the Iran-backed "axis of resistance" against Israel.

Today's strikes targeted an airbase, airports and a military camp, the Houthi rebels' Al-Masirah TV station said, with AFP correspondents and witnesses also reporting they could hear bombardments.

US President Joe Biden called the US and British strikes a "defensive action" after the Red Sea attacks and said he "will not hesitate" to order further military action if needed.

The strikes involved fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles, the US Air Forces Central Command said in a statement.

It said 60 targets at 16 Houthi locations were hit by more than 100 precision-guided munitions.