The Yemen-based Houthi group, an Iran-backed militia, has issued a retaliation warning following sizeable military incursions executed by the U.S. under President Trump’s administration. These operations, characterized by a large number of fatalities, have reportedly claimed the lives of at least 31 individuals. Victim accounts indicate the dead were not solely fighters but also civilians, including women and children. This event delineates the most substantial instance of U.S. military involvement in the Middle East since the beginning of Trump’s tenure.
The Houthi militia, for an extended duration exceeding a year, has incited aggression towards Israel, even going as far as posing threats to commercial naval routes in the Red Sea. This was done in an expression of support for their Hamas allies, renowned for initiating the notable assault on Israel on the seventh day of October 2023. This occurrence consequently ignited the Gaza war.
The recent strategic airstrikes orchestrated by the U.S. pinpointed regions across Yemen under Houthi governance. Urban areas, which endured significant impacts, were widespread, including Sana, the nation’s capital. Regions beyond the capital were not spared either. Areas including Saada, al-Bayda, Hajjah, and Dhamar Provinces also faced the devastating aftermath of the military operation, as accounted by media outlets under Houthi influence.
In the wake of the airstrikes, the death toll escalated to a minimum of 31, with over a hundred more individuals nursing injuries. Amongst those unwittingly involved in the crossfire were children and women, who formed a substantial share of the casualties. This distressing news was relayed by Anis al-Asbahi, the official spokesperson of the Houthi-run health sector.
However, the validity of these reports presents a challenge, as independent verification is currently unattainable. Simultaneously, U.S. authorities have yet to disclose their estimates concerning the tally of lost and wounded lives resulting from the airstrikes. This lack of information fuels an atmosphere loaded with uncertainty.
The U.S. Central Command, on its part, shared visual evidence of the impact, a video capturing the exact moment a building complex in Yemen was demolished by a bomb. Their statement defended the accuracy of their volley of strikes, aimed to safeguard American interests, thwart adversaries, and reestablish the freedom to navigate the seas.