The U.S. has conducted airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, leading to claims of escalation from both sides. The Houthi Ministry reports significant casualties. Secretary of State Rubio stressed that operations will persist until freedom of navigation is secured. Iranian officials denied involvement in Houthi actions while calling for a halt to U.S. strikes, amid a backdrop of increasing military engagement and humanitarian concerns in Yemen.
The recent airstrikes conducted by the United States against Houthi rebels in Yemen have led to escalations from both parties. These strikes aimed to deter rebel attacks on military and commercial vessels in a vital shipping corridor. According to the Houthi-run Health Ministry, these operations resulted in at least 53 fatalities, including women and children, and close to 100 injuries across Sanaa and other regions including Saada, a Houthi stronghold near Saudi Arabia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the U.S. intention to ensure safe passage for shipping lanes, stating that actions would continue until the Houthis can no longer impede maritime traffic. He distinguished these operations as more extensive than previous retaliatory actions undertaken by the Biden administration. President Donald Trump promised to deploy “overwhelming lethal force” to halt Houthi attacks while holding Iran accountable for their support of the group.
The Houthis have been involved in targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, aiming to stand in solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts. Although attacks had been minimized following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Houthis threatened renewed assaults on Israeli vessels recently, following Israel’s suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The airstrikes initiated were described as one of the most considerable actions against the Houthis since the recent hostilities began. According to Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, the strikes successfully targeted several Houthi leaders without disclosing their identities or specifics of the evidence behind this claim. The political bureau of the Houthis announced intentions to retaliate, indicating that any escalation would be met with a proportional response.
Despite claims from the Houthis of targeting U.S. military assets like the USS Harry S. Truman, U.S. officials reported no such incidents of any successful attacks. In light of the escalating tensions, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for restraint and cessation of all military operations to safeguard humanitarian conditions in Yemen, noted as one of the poorest nations in the Arab world.
Rubio further elaborated on the scale of Houthi aggression, stating that there had been 174 direct attacks on the U.S. Navy and 145 on commercial vessels in the past 18 months, utilizing advanced weaponry. These hostilities represented some of the most significant naval engagements since World War II. Meanwhile, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard dismissed foreign claims of Iran’s involvement in Houthi activities, insisting Iran does not dictate operational strategies for allied groups in the region.
In summary, the U.S. airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen mark a significant escalation in an ongoing conflict, with both the U.S. and Houthis vowing further military action. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, exacerbated by the rising hostilities. As tensions escalate, calls for restraint from international bodies highlight the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, particularly given Yemen’s challenging humanitarian context.
Original Source: www.kaaltv.com
