The United States launched fresh airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Wednesday, according to reports from Houthi-run Al Masirah TV. These attacks are the latest in a series of U.S. military actions in response to the Iran-backed group’s ongoing assaults on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Airstrikes Hit Multiple Locations in Sanaa
Local residents confirmed to Reuters that the strikes targeted the Al-Jarraf district, located near Sanaa’s airport. Another attack hit an under-construction event hall in Al-Thawra, a residential area, reportedly injuring nine civilians, including women and children, according to Anees al-Asbahi, a spokesperson for the Houthi-controlled health ministry.
In addition to Sanaa, U.S. forces also carried out strikes in Al-Suwaidia, a district in Yemen’s Al-Bayda province, which is known to house military facilities and weapons storage sites operated by the Houthis.
Escalating Conflict and U.S. Military Strategy
The United States initiated this wave of airstrikes last Saturday, in what has been described as the most extensive operation against Houthi targets since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. At least 31 people have been reported killed in these strikes so far.
President Trump has also issued a stern warning to Iran, holding it accountable for any future Houthi attacks. However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards deny direct control over the Houthis, claiming that the group operates independently and makes its own strategic decisions.
Despite U.S. military pressure, the Houthis remain defiant. The group has vowed to escalate its attacks, including targeting Israel, in retaliation for Washington’s airstrikes.
Houthi Attacks on Israel and Global Shipping
Just a day before the latest U.S. airstrikes, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Israel, declaring their intention to expand attacks against the country in response to renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in late 2023, the Houthis have conducted over 100 attacks on international shipping, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These assaults have disrupted global trade and forced the U.S. military to engage in costly missile interception efforts to protect vital shipping lanes.
The Houthis are part of the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of Iran-backed militant groups that includes Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and armed factions in Iraq. Their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes have drawn global condemnation, with the U.S. and its allies working to curb their influence.
What’s Next?
With the Houthis promising further strikes and the U.S. intensifying its military response, tensions in the region are at a boiling point. As Washington continues its air campaign, the question remains: Will these strikes deter the Houthis or push the conflict into a more dangerous phase?
For now, the situation remains fluid, and global powers are watching closely to see how this escalating conflict unfolds.
