US-Israeli Airstrikes Attack Yemen’s Capital, Houthis Vow Retaliation
Sana’a (Quds News Network)- Ansar Allah Houthi movement in Yemen announced on Saturday evening that US-Israeli airstrikes targeted the capital, Sanaa. Explosions shook the city as missiles struck multiple locations. The airstrikes killed nine civilians and injured nine others. Local sources reported that residential areas were among the targets, leaving destruction and heavy smoke over the city.
The political office of Ansar Allah condemned the attack, calling it blatant aggression. Houthi leaders said the strikes prove that the US is waging war on behalf of Israel. They linked the attack to Yemen’s ongoing support for Palestine and vowed that their forces would respond. They warned that the assault would not stop their operations and that they are ready to escalate if necessary.
Shortly after the airstrikes, US President Donald Trump confirmed the assault. He said he had ordered “decisive and powerful military action” against the Houthis. He accused them of “piracy, terrorism, and disrupting global trade”. Trump warned that if the Houthis did not stop their attacks, they would face overwhelming force. He also threatened Iran, demanding an end to its support for the group and warning of consequences if it continued.
US Defense Secretary confirmed that Washington had issued a direct warning to Iran. He said military operations would continue until American forces restored full control over shipping lanes in the Red Sea. An American official told Axios that the strikes were only the beginning and could last for weeks. The New York Times reported that fighter jets launched the strikes from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched operations against Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea, declaring their actions a response to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The US and UK attacked Yemen with airstrikes on mainly civilian locations in early 2024. The Houthis retaliated by expanding their operations, targeting American and British warships and threatening vessels in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
US officials now expect further escalation. The Houthis have warned that they will respond in kind.
On Wednesday, the Yemeni Armed Forces had announced the resumption of a full ban on Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. The decision followed Israel’s continued blockade on Gaza, preventing humanitarian aid from entering the besieged Strip.
