US maintains stance on targeting Houthis until Yemeni group halts threats to Red Sea shipping.
Houthi rebels have taken responsibility for another assault on a United States naval vessel, labeling it “retaliation” for US strikes on Yemen.
A Houthi spokesperson stated on Monday that fighters had launched 18 missiles and a drone at the “aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships”. According to the US military, target operations against the group persisted throughout the night.
This marks the second strike on the US Navy claimed by the Iran-aligned group within the last 24 hours, amid an escalation in hostilities. Following the Houthis’ declaration last week to resume targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea, due to Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza, the US executed a series of significant attacks on Yemen over the weekend, killing dozens and injuring numerous individuals.
The Houthi spokesperson announced in a statement posted on Telegram, “This attack is in retaliation to the continuous American aggression against our nation.”
The US has not addressed the claimed strike. However, US Central Command shared a video on X, stating that their “forces are ongoing operationally against Iran-backed Houthi terrorists.”
According to Houthi-backed SABA news agency, two new air raids occurred early on Monday near the port city of Hodeidah, approximately 230km (143 miles) from the capital Sanaa.
Local authorities cited by SABA also reported US forces’ strikes on a cancer facility under construction in the city of Saada on Sunday, resulting in “widespread destruction.”
The Houthis, who control a significant portion of Yemen, the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula, have consistently targeted the busy sea route off Yemen’s coast. This campaign occurred as Israel continued bombing Gaza over the past 18 months.
The attacks disrupted global trade, compelling a substantial amount of maritime traffic between Asia and Europe to bypass the Suez Canal, choosing the longer route around Africa.
The group ceased its drone and missile attacks on vessels with weak Israeli connections when the Gaza ceasefire was declared in January.
However, the Yemeni group announced last week that it was “re-establishing the ban on the passage of all Israeli ships” in the Red Sea due to Israel’s renewed blockade of the Palestinian enclave.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump directed the US military to attack the Houthis.
According to Reuters news agency, the attacks resulted in at least 53 deaths and numerous injuries, with most of the victims being women and children. Most of the 40 raids focused on the Houthi-controlled Saada province, located to the north of Sanaa.
Oil prices have been on the rise due to the news of the Red Sea attacks. Brent futures – the global benchmark – increased by 41 cents or 0.6% on Monday, reaching $70.99 per barrel.
