DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – In a surge of military actions, suspected U.S. airstrikes targeted areas around Sanaa, Yemen's capital, during the overnight hours into Monday morning. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels reported that at least one individual was killed as a result of these strikes, which added to the tumultuous landscape of the region.
The precise impact and number of casualties resulting from these attacks remain unclear. This recent round of strikes follows a notably intense series of airstrikes that occurred early on Friday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing military campaign that commenced on March 15. Over the years, Sanaa has been under Houthi control since 2014, and the recent bombings underscore the persistent conflict in the area.
The Houthis also indicated that four additional individuals sustained injuries from the strikes. Their al-Masirah satellite news outlet broadcast footage showing shattered glass scattered across homes due to the concussive blasts. Notably, the channel refrained from disclosing the specific targets of the attacks, suggesting that they could have involved military or intelligence facilities.
According to an Associated Press review, the current American military operations against the Houthis, initiated under President Donald Trump, appear more extensive than those executed during former President Joe Biden's administration. The shift includes a broader scope of target selection, moving beyond just missile launch sites to include operations against high-ranking personnel, as well as bombings in urban environments.
This new series of airstrikes, which the Houthis claim has resulted in at least 59 fatalities, initiated following the rebels' threats to resume targeting "Israeli" ships. This warning arises from ongoing tensions regarding Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip. Historically, the Houthis have been vague in defining what constitutes an Israeli vessel, raising concerns that other ships may also be at risk.
Between November 2023 and January 2024, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on over 100 merchant vessels, which included sinking two ships and resulting in the deaths of four sailors. They also made attempts to assault American warships; however, none have successfully sustained damage thus far.
The recent attacks have significantly raised the Houthis' international profile amid internal economic challenges and a crackdown on dissent, as well as restrictions on aid workers within Yemen—a nation already ravaged by a decade-long war that has had devastating effects on its population and infrastructure.
As this situation unfolds, the dynamics in Yemen continue to evolve, reflecting the complexities of the regional conflict and the dire humanitarian crisis faced by its people.
