The US has vowed to keep striking Yemen’s Houthis until they stop attacks on shipping, as the Iran-aligned group signalled potential escalation following US airstrikes that reportedly killed at least 31 people.
The US launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen, targeting Houthi military sites in Sanaa and Taiz. The strikes, which the Houthi-run health ministry said killed 31 people, mark the largest US military operation in the Middle East since Donald Trump took office. A US official told Reuters the campaign could continue for weeks.
Houthi officials condemned the strikes as a "war crime" and vowed to respond. The group's military spokesperson claimed they had launched ballistic missiles and drones at the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, though the US denied the claim.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated: “The minute the Houthis say we'll stop shooting at your ships, we'll stop shooting at your drones. This campaign will be unrelenting until then.” He blamed Iran for supporting the Houthis, warning that “they better back off.”
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, had previously threatened to target Israeli-linked ships in response to the Gaza conflict. They intensified attacks on Red Sea shipping after the Israel-Hamas war escalated in late 2023.
Iran’s top commander, Hossein Salami, dismissed US accusations, stating that the Houthis act independently. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted Iran was responsible for supplying the group with military support.
Moscow urged Washington to halt the strikes, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calling for diplomatic dialogue. Meanwhile, reports emerged of civilian casualties, including women and children, though Reuters could not independently verify the claims.
US strikes also hit a power station in Dahyan, a site linked to Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi. Residents in Sanaa described the impact as "violent," with footage showing rescue operations and damaged buildings.
The Houthi attacks on shipping have disrupted global trade, forcing the US to engage in costly defensive operations. The group had paused its attacks following an Israel-Hamas ceasefire in January but resumed threats on March 12, linking their actions to aid restrictions on Gaza.
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