Yemen’s Houthi rebels reported attacks on the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier group, claiming retaliation for recent U.S. strikes that killed 53 civilians. The Houthis launched missiles and a drone, asserting these actions were in response to what they term “American aggression.” In retaliation, the U.S. committed to continued strikes against the Houthis and warned of severe consequences. Amid escalating tensions and humanitarian crises in Yemen, the U.N. urged both sides to cease military actions. The conflict intensified as the Houthis resumed attacks on international shipping in solidarity with Palestine, igniting further geopolitical tensions in the region.
Sanaa, Yemen:
The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Monday that they had attacked a U.S. aircraft carrier group twice within a day, framing it as a response to fatal U.S. airstrikes. Initially, the Houthis claimed to have launched 18 missiles and a drone at the “USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships” in the Red Sea, later asserting that a second barrage was fired.
No immediate statement has been made by the United States regarding the Houthis’ reported attacks.
A Houthi spokesperson stated on Telegram that these strikes were “in retaliation for the persistent American aggression towards our nation”.
The U.S. has pledged to continue its offensive in Yemen until the Houthis cease their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, with President Donald Trump cautioning that he would unleash “overwhelming lethal force”.
The Houthi health ministry reported that among the 53 fatalities and 98 injuries from U.S. strikes on Saturday were women and children.
According to Houthi media, additional explosions were reported on Sunday night, accusing U.S. forces of targeting a cotton ginning factory in Hodeida and the Galaxy Leader, an Israeli vessel that was captured over a year ago.
Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi urged Yemenis to demonstrate on Monday in defiance of U.S. actions.
In light of the recent escalation affecting the maritime trade route, the United Nations has called for both parties to “halt all military activities”.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who dominate much of Yemen, which is the poorest nation on the Arabian Peninsula, have attacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the conflict in Gaza, alleging solidarity with Palestinians.
Prior to this weekend’s targeting of the U.S. carrier group, the Houthis had not claimed any attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since January 19, coinciding with a ceasefire in Gaza.
The group stated that they resumed their attacks in light of Israel’s suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning they would “escalate further actions” if “the American aggression continues against our nation”.
‘Terrified’
The U.S. strikes against the Houthis over the weekend marked the first such action since Trump resumed office in January.
U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz confirmed to ABC News that Saturday’s operations “targeted multiple Houthi leaders and successfully eliminated them”.
Trump also cautioned the Houthis that “hell will rain down upon you”.
In a post on social media directed at Iran, the U.S. president demanded that the Islamic Republic cease its support for “Houthi terrorists”.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) verified a “large-scale operation” against the Houthis, which it indicated was ongoing as of Sunday night.
Residents in Sanaa reported a “horrific explosion” that rattled homes and shattered windows.
Footage released by Houthi media depicted children, including a dazed girl with bandaged, charred legs, and a woman receiving medical care.
However, the Houthis have blocked access to areas surrounding the blast sites, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage.
A father of two, identifying himself as Ahmed, recounted to AFP, “I’ve lived in Sanaa for a decade, always hearing shelling during the war. I’ve never experienced anything like this”.
“My family and I were terrified,” he added.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the lethal U.S. strikes, asserting that Washington had “no authority” to dictate Tehran’s foreign policy.
The political bureau of the Houthis claimed its “forces are fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation”.
‘Fully prepared’
A database established by ACLED, a nonprofit monitoring agency, recorded 136 Houthi attacks on warships and commercial vessels, in addition to Israeli and other targets since October 19, 2023.
The Red Sea trade route typically facilitates about 12 percent of global shipping traffic; however, Houthi attacks have forced many companies to undertake expensive detours around Southern Africa.
The Palestinian group Hamas, which has lauded Houthi military support, characterized the U.S. strikes as “a stark violation of international law and an assault on the country’s sovereignty and stability”.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief, Hossein Salami, stated, “Iran will not start a war, but if threatened, it will respond appropriately, decisively, and conclusively.”
The United States has already conducted multiple airstrikes on Houthi locations.
Israel has also targeted Yemen, most recently in December, following Houthi missile attacks on Israeli territory.
While fighting in Yemen’s ongoing conflict has largely been suspended since a ceasefire in 2022, the anticipated peace process has stagnated due to the Houthi threats to maritime shipping.
The war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, either directly or indirectly due to conditions like disease, contributing to one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises in Yemen.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)