The U.S. and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are escalating tensions following airstrikes aimed at deterring rebel attacks on shipping routes. The Houthis reported over 50 casualties from the strikes. U.S. officials signaled ongoing military actions, while both sides vowed to escalate their responses. The United Nations cautioned against further military engagements, stressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are escalating tensions following U.S. airstrikes aimed at deterring Houthi attacks on naval vessels in a key shipping corridor. Reports from the Houthi-run Health Ministry indicate that airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 53 individuals, including five women and two children, and injured nearly 100 across various provinces, notably in Sanaa and Saada, the latter being a prominent Houthi stronghold.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the necessity of countering Houthi control over maritime routes, stating that the operations would continue until their capability to impede shipping is eliminated. Contrarily, President Donald Trump threatened to employ “overwhelming lethal force” against the Houthis, holding Iran accountable for supporting their operations.
The Houthis, having previously engaged in attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea, assert these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Although Houthi attacks had ceased in January after a ceasefire was established, they have signaled a resumption of hostilities after humanitarian aid to Gaza was terminated.
The recent airstrikes are regarded as among the most significant against the Houthis since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz stated that the strikes targeted multiple Houthi leaders, although specific identities were not revealed.
In response, the Houthi political bureau vowed to retaliate to the U.S. strikes with escalated actions. They claimed missile and drone attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, though U.S. officials stated they did not track any incoming threats.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for restraint and cessation of military activities, highlighting the threatening conditions impacting Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. Rubio indicated that within 18 months, the Houthis had directly attacked the U.S. Navy a notable 174 times, marking significant military engagement.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has denied any involvement in Houthi activities, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that the U.S. cannot dictate Iran’s foreign policy. The U.S. has previously accused Iran of supplying military support to the Houthis, corroborated by seizures of Iranian-made weaponry en route to them.
The recent U.S. operation was distinct, being conducted independently after previous allied strikes, marking the first attack on Houthis under Trump’s second term. The USS Harry S. Truman strike group, which comprises various naval vessels, has been actively deployed in the Red Sea region.
The ongoing confrontation between the United States and Houthi rebels emphasizes a significant escalation in response to attacks on commercial and military shipping vessels. With both sides vowing to intensify their operations, the humanitarian implications for Yemen remain severe. The international community, particularly through the U.N., calls for restraint, while the complex dynamics involving Iran continue to shape the conflict’s landscape.
Original Source: www.kaaltv.com
