Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed that the United States has launched another attack against them, with the death toll rising to 53, including 5 children. The group stated that multiple targets in the Al Jawf Governorate and Al Hudaydah Governorate were attacked earlier on Monday. Concurrently, the US Central Command stated that its forces are continuing to carry out their missions, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
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03-20, 2025As part of an operation to deter Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, the United States launched what it called "decisive and forceful" airstrikes against Houthi targets last Saturday. Washington stated that some key Houthi figures were killed in the attacks, but the group has not confirmed this. The strikes were aimed at degrading the Houthis' ability to continue their attacks on international shipping lanes.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said that as long as the United States continues to attack Yemen, its fighters will continue to attack American ships in the Red Sea. Houthi Health Ministry spokesman Anis al-Asbahi updated the previously released death toll on social media X, stating that 53 people had died, including "5 children and 2 women," with 98 others injured. This escalation of casualties further exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.
A father of two named Ahmed told Agence France-Presse, "I have lived in Sanaa for 10 years and have always heard the sound of war. But I swear to God, I have never experienced anything like this." US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said in an interview with ABC News that Saturday's attacks "targeted and eliminated several Houthi leaders." He also told Fox News, "We hit them with overwhelming force and warned Iran to stop." US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed to launch a "relentless" missile offensive until the Houthis stop attacking, signaling a firm stance from the US government.
"I want to be very clear that this operation is about maintaining freedom of navigation and restoring deterrence," Hegseth said in a television interview with Fox Business. The Houthis have stated that they will continue to attack Red Sea shipping until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza, and that their forces will respond to the attacks. This Iranian-backed rebel group controls Sanaa and northwestern Yemen, but is not the country's internationally recognized government, creating a complex political landscape.
The Houthis claim that their actions are in support of the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and claim (often falsely) that they only target ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. Since November 2023, the Houthis have used missiles, drones, and small boats to attack dozens of merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They have sunk two ships, seized a third, and caused the deaths of four crew members, demonstrating the severity of their attacks.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for "maximum restraint and the cessation of all military activities" in Yemen. The UN continues to urge all parties to de-escalate and engage in dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and prevent further loss of life.
