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 involvement with America's new intense campaign targeting the Iranian-backed group.

American forces have hit more than 1,000 Houthi targets in Yemen as part of a campaign that began in March to stop attacks by the militants on the shipping lanes of the Red Sea, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Defence Secretary John Healey said all UK aircraft and personnel involved in the operation had returned to base safely.