U.S. and UK air forces carried out fresh airstrikes in Yemen, including on the capital Sanaa, as Houthi group vow to continue campaign to support Gaza and Lebanon.
15 targets overall were allegedly hit across the country, according to Yemen’s state channel, Al-Masirah TV.
Al Masirah described the strikes as carried out by “U.S.-UK aggressors”, however, no details were provided regarding casualties or damage.
The air raids included six strikes across Sanaa and nine in the Kahlan and al-Abla areas in eastern Saada, a traditional stronghold for the ruling Ansarullah (Houthi) group.
The attacks have further escalated tensions in the region, already plagued by years of conflict and instability.
The Houthis, who control north Yemen, have vowed retaliation, threatening further attacks against Western targets.
Houthi’s vow retaliation
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In response to the airstrikes, Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, issued a strong condemnation, warning that the attacks “will not go unpunished.”
He also linked the conflict to broader regional issues, asserting that the Houthis’ stance on Gaza and Lebanon remains unchanged.
Amer’s statement reflects the Houthis’ alignment with other regional forces that are against Western and Israeli influence.
He reiterated that the Houthis’ resolve remains strong and that they would continue to resist.
The group’s vow of retaliation suggests the possibility of more attacks, either in the Red Sea or against Israel directly.
Since the beginning of the Israel war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have attacked cargo shipping and other targets in the Red Sea in what they describe as a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s war on Gaza that has killed more than 42,000 people.
But the group has also attacked commercial vessels with no obvious connection to the war.
Nasruddin Amer reaffirmed that the Houthis would continue to fight until what he described as the “genocide in Gaza” ends.
The group has admitted it considers all U.S. and British vessels in the region to be “legitimate military targets.”
The Houthis are a group which has close ties to Iran and considers itself part of the region-wide Iran-led “resistance axis.”
The Yemeni group has also launched several drone and ballistic missile strikes targeting Israel throughout 2024.
U.S. and UK justification for the airstrikes
The U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the American airstrikes using “stealth bombers” for the first time.
According to Austin, the U.S. used B-2 bombers to carry out “precision strikes” on five underground weapons storage sites in Houthi-controlled areas.
He explained that the goal of these strikes was to dismantle Houthi military capabilities that threaten regional stability.
Austin also addressed the Houthis’ activities in the Red Sea, where they have attacked shipping lanes and posed risks to maritime trade.
He warned that coalition forces would continue targeting those responsible for such actions.
A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence echoed Austin’s sentiments stating that the Houthis’ actions have destabilised the region and posed a threat to international interests.
Therefore, the airstrikes were necessary to protect allies and restore stability.
Gaza death toll rises
The health ministry in Gaza said on Thursday that at least 42,438 people have been killed in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
The toll includes 29 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 99,246 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Since Israel started its bloody campaign in Gaza, the war has now expanded with Israel now fighting Hezbollah inside Lebanon.
Iran has also launched two major missile attacks at Israel in retaliation for Israel’s attacks on Iranian targets in Syria.
Yemen’s key port city of Hudeidah has also been bombed by Israel amid Yemen’s Houthi efforts to pressure Israel to abandon its military operation in Gaza.
