US Strikes in Yemen Escalate as Houthi Death Toll Rises
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has reported fresh US airstrikes, bringing the death toll to 53, including five children.
The strikes, which targeted locations in the Al Jaouf and Hudaydah regions, come as part of US efforts to curb Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The US Central Command has confirmed that operations against Houthi targets are continuing, following a significant wave of strikes on Saturday. Washington claims that key Houthi figures were among those killed, although the rebel group has not confirmed this.
US officials have framed the campaign as a response to ongoing Houthi threats to international shipping. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the missile campaign would continue until the attacks stopped, emphasizing that the objective was to maintain freedom of navigation and restore deterrence.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, however, has warned that his forces will target US ships in the Red Sea as long as strikes on Yemen persist. The rebel group has maintained that its actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza and has vowed to continue its operations.
Anis al-Asbahi, a spokesperson for the Houthi-run health ministry, reported that in addition to the 53 deaths, 98 people had been wounded. Residents in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have described the latest wave of airstrikes as some of the most intense they have experienced during the conflict.
The international response to the escalation has been mixed. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint and urged all parties to cease military operations. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US strikes, accusing Washington of fueling further instability in the region.
The conflict has had economic repercussions, with oil prices rising slightly in response to the uncertainty. The US has indicated that the military campaign could continue for weeks, raising concerns about prolonged instability in the region.
The situation in Yemen remains complex, with the Houthis controlling significant territory, including Sanaa, while the internationally recognized government operates with support from Saudi Arabia and other allies.
With input from Al Jazeera, BBC, and Reuters.
