The death toll from U.S. airstrikes in Yemen has risen to 53, as the Houthis vow retaliation against American vessels. President Trump's administration intensifies military action, citing threats to shipping lines. The Houthis maintain their target focus on perceived enemies while claiming their attacks support the Palestinian cause.
U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen Leave 53 Dead Amid Intensifying Conflict
U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen Leave 53 Dead Amid Intensifying Conflict
Recent U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen result in significant casualties, including children, as tensions escalate over shipping attacks in the Red Sea.
The conflict in Yemen has escalated dramatically following a wave of U.S. airstrikes that reportedly killed 53 people, including five children, according to the Houthi health ministry. The strikes, described by the U.S. as a "decisive and powerful" response to Houthi maritime attacks, were carried out amid ongoing tensions surrounding shipping security in the Red Sea.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi is adamant that retaliation will occur, particularly against U.S. shipping, as military actions from Washington persist. Anis al-Asbahi, a spokesperson for the Houthi health ministry, announced via social media that the updated figures from the strikes included “98 individuals wounded,” illustrating the toll of the sustained attacks.
Ahmed, a local resident, described the harrowing nature of the bombings, stating: “I’ve never experienced anything like this before” in his ten years living in Sanaa—a city that has endured significant conflict. In remarks to various media outlets, U.S. officials have indicated that the strikes were aimed at eliminating key Houthi leadership, asserting the campaign is intended to facilitate freedom of navigation and reassert U.S. deterrence.
Pentagon officials, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have promised an “unrelenting” military campaign until Houthi assaults come to an end. This swift military response follows months of escalating attacks from the Iranian-backed rebel group, which has recently intensified its offensive against merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden, claiming responsibility for missile and drone assaults on U.S. vessels.
The Houthis claim their maritime operations are justified as a means of resistance against Israeli actions in Gaza, declaring that their aggression will continue until Israel lifts its blockade. As hostilities rise, Iranian officials have criticized U.S. interventions in the region, urging an end to what they term the "genocide" of the Yemeni people.
In a show of strength, Houthi military representatives announced they targeted U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in retaliation, although U.S. sources denied any close encounters. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an urgent ceasefire and restraint from all military parties involved in this volatile situation.
