The death toll from US airstrikes on Yemen has risen to 53, including five children, the Houthi rebels’ health ministry has reported. The strikes, which took place on Saturday, were described by the US as a “decisive and powerful” response to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping.
President Donald Trump defended the military action, stating that Houthi aggression threatened global trade and US forces. “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our troops and allies,” Trump wrote on social media, warning of further retaliation.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, in response, vowed to continue targeting US ships in the Red Sea as long as attacks on Yemen persisted. The Houthis, who control parts of northern Yemen, claim they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The latest strikes come amid heightened tensions, with reports of additional US attacks in Al Jaouf and Hudaydah early Monday. The US has yet to comment on these developments. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz told ABC News that the strikes specifically targeted high-ranking Houthi figures.
The Iranian-backed Houthis have been launching missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, disrupting maritime trade. They have sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed four crew members. The group claims its attacks are aimed at ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, though these assertions have been widely disputed.
Iran has condemned the US strikes, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling on Washington to “end support for Israeli genocide and terrorism” and “stop killing Yemeni people.” Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged restraint, warning against further escalation.
Despite the US air campaign, the Houthis remain defiant, reiterating their commitment to opposing Israel and its allies. With tensions mounting and no resolution in sight, the conflict threatens to further destabilize the region.
