The Houthis have intensified their attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023, targeting them with missiles, drones, and small boats. In response, the United States launched a "decisive and powerful" series of air strikes against Houthi targets on Saturday. The US Central Command confirmed that operations against the Houthis are ongoing, aiming to halt their assaults on shipping routes.
In recent developments, Anis al-Asbahi, spokesperson for the Houthi health ministry, reported on X that 53 individuals, including five children and two women, have been killed following US strikes. The Houthis assert that these attacks were in retaliation for their previous assaults on the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and several American warships. They maintain that their actions are part of a broader strategy to support Palestinians amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Houthis, who control Sanaa and the north-west of Yemen but are not recognized as the country's official government, have been firm in their resolve. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi leader, declared that they would continue targeting US ships in the Red Sea as long as US operations persisted in Yemen.
"We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective," stated Donald Trump.
The US claims that some key Houthi figures have been killed in these operations, though this has not been confirmed by the Houthis. The conflict has drawn international attention, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging for "utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities" in Yemen to prevent further escalation.
"I want to be very clear, this campaign is about freedom of navigation and restoring deterrence," emphasized Pete Hegseth.
The Houthis have also expressed their intent to continue attacking Red Sea shipping until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza. They claim their target is limited to vessels associated with Israel, the US, or the UK. This position underscores the intersection of regional conflicts and global maritime security concerns.
The ongoing hostilities have created dire conditions for civilians living under Houthi control. Residents of Sanaa, like Ahmed, a father of two, have described the intensity of recent events.
"I've been living in Sanaa for 10 years, hearing shelling throughout the war. By God, I've never experienced anything like this before," Ahmed recounted.
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