US airstrikes target Houthi positions in Sanaa, Yemen

The United States launched airstrikes on targets in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Wednesday, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV. This action is part of the US response to recent attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi group on vessels in the Red Sea. Residents reported that the strikes hit the Al-Jarraf district, near the city's airport. An under-construction event hall in a residential area of Sanaa was also damaged, injuring nine people, mostly women and children, according to a spokesperson for the Houthi health ministry. The US strikes also targeted Al-Suwaidia directorate in Yemen's al-Bayda province, known to house military sites and weapons depots used by the Houthis. The recent wave of strikes began on Saturday, resulting in at least 31 deaths and marking the largest operation since President Donald Trump took office again in January. Trump has vowed to hold Iran accountable for any future Houthi aggression and warned of significant consequences. However, Iran's Revolutionary Guards stated that the Houthis operate independently. In defiance of the US actions, the Houthis threatened to escalate their attacks, including targeting Israel. They announced on Tuesday that they had fired a ballistic missile toward Israel and planned to expand their operations in response to renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Since late 2023, the Houthis have conducted over 100 attacks on shipping, claiming they are supporting Palestinians in Gaza.