Attacks on US warships and Israeli military sites follow strikes in Yemen’s Saada and Amran provinces.
Several air strikes have hit northern Yemen. The Houthis claim responsibility and report attacks on United States warships in the Red Sea and drone strikes on military sites in Israel.
Houthi-affiliated media stated that at least 17 strikes were conducted in Saada and Amran, with the rebels attributing these attacks to the United States.
The Houthi-affiliated news outlet Ansarollah stated that US warplanes launched “aggressive air raids” on civilians, causing property damage, but provided no information about casualties.
According to Al Masirah TV, more Houthi-affiliated media, some raids targeted the east of Saada and Israel. US fighter jets also targeted the west of Saada late at night.
In retaliation, the Houthis launched attacks against US and Israeli military targets. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree declared these attacks on Twitter. The attacks included targeting the USS Harry S Truman in the Red Sea and Israeli military sites in Tel Aviv.
“The clash lasted for hours,” Saree said. He stated that the Houthis will continue to fight “American aggression” with “escalation.”
The Houthis will continue to disrupt Israeli navigation in Yemeni waters until the Israeli aggression stops and the Gaza Strip blockade is lifted.
A ‘necessary’ sacrifice
Since March 15, the United States has been striking the impoverished nation, killing over 53 and injuring many more, due to the Houthis’ earlier targeting of vessels in crucial shipping lanes and their alignment with Hamas during the war on Gaza.
Since Israel’s conflict with Gaza began late 2023, the Houthis have launched over 100 attacks on ships. They assert these attacks are a gesture of support for the Palestinians in Gaza.
The Houthis halted their attacks when the ceasefire in Gaza began in January. However, as tensions escalate again, they threatened to resume their strikes.
“US air strikes in Yemen continue as the Houthis retaliate amid the escalating conflict,” Al Jazeera’s Mohammed al-Attab reported from Sanaa. He highlighted the dire situation for Yemen’s people, nearly 20 million impoverished and around seven million on the brink of starvation.
Despite the devastation, many Yemenis remain supportive of Gaza, feeling their sacrifices will pressure Israel into halting its blockade.
This month, President Trump renewed his call for Iran to stop supporting the Houthis, vowing they would be defeated by Washington. However, the extent of Houthi reliance on Iran and Tehran’s influence remains uncertain.
