US Military Launches Strikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen

The United States military announced that it launched a series of strikes on Iranian-backed Houthi targets in Yemen. According to the Pentagon, the attacks aimed to “protect freedom of navigation” in the region. The strikes were carried out using aircraft and warships, impacting several locations, including the capital, Sanaa.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations in the Middle East, reported that the strikes targeted 15 Houthi-controlled sites. Among these locations were facilities within Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah, as confirmed by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV network. Reports from the AFP news agency and social media footage corroborate significant explosions in these areas.

Specifically, in Hodeidah, targets included the airport and a military base in the Katheib area. Additional raids occurred in the Dhamar and Bayda provinces, the latter situated southeast of Sanaa. The Associated Press, citing anonymous US officials, indicated that weapons systems and other military equipment were focal points of the attacks.

The international coalition efforts align with increasing tensions following multiple Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which the rebel group claims to be in retaliation for Israel‘s military actions in Gaza. Al Masirah reported the involvement of the United Kingdom in the strikes, a claim that the UK Ministry of Defence has officially denied.

In recent developments, the Houthis have launched drones and missiles targeting Israel and US naval ships in the region, heightening security concerns. Last month, the conflict extended to a missile fired at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport from Yemen.

In response to these aggressions, Washington has reiterated its commitment to securing crucial maritime routes from potential threats posed by the Houthis. Sanaa witnessed large-scale demonstrations protesting Israeli actions and showing support for Palestine and Lebanon. Hashem Sharaf al-Din, a Houthi official, condemned the US strikes, describing them as attempts to “terrorise our people,” as quoted by Al Masirah.

These events unfold as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, with ongoing military operations contributing to regional instability. The Houthis have expressed determination to continue resistance despite the international military pressures they face.