The death toll from recent US airstrikes in Yemen has risen to 53, including five children, according to the Houthi rebels’ health ministry. The strikes, which took place on Saturday, were described by the US as a “decisive and powerful” response to Houthi attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
The US government, led by President Donald Trump, justified the operation by citing the Houthis’ continued targeting of international maritime routes. While Washington has claimed that key Houthi figures were among those killed, the rebel group has yet to confirm any high-profile casualties.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi warned that his forces would continue targeting US ships in the Red Sea as long as American military operations in Yemen persisted. Updating the casualty count, Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anis al-Asbahi stated that, along with the 53 fatalities, 98 others had been wounded. Among the deceased were two women and five children.
The situation in Yemen remains dire, with residents expressing their distress over the intensifying conflict. A man identified as Ahmed, speaking to AFP, said, “I’ve been living in Sanaa for 10 years, hearing shelling throughout the war. By God, I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”
Fresh US strikes were reported in Al Jaouf and Hudaydah early Monday, though the Pentagon has yet to comment on these latest developments. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz emphasized the strategic nature of Saturday’s strikes, stating, “We just hit them with overwhelming force and put Iran on notice that enough is enough.”
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that Washington’s objective was to restore deterrence and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. “This campaign will be unrelenting until the Houthi attacks stop,” he said in a televised interview.
The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks on Red Sea shipping routes until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza. The Iranian-backed group, which controls large parts of Yemen, claims its operations are in solidarity with the Palestinians in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out numerous missile, drone, and small boat attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They have sunk two ships, seized another, and caused four fatalities among crew members.
President Donald Trump warned of further action if Houthi aggression persisted. “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft and targeted our troops and allies,” he posted on social media. “If they do not stop, hell will rain down upon them like nothing they have ever seen before.”
Despite the escalation, the Houthis remain defiant, asserting that their support for Palestinians will not waver. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks, stating that Washington has “no authority to dictate Iranian foreign policy.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations has called for restraint, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging an end to military hostilities in Yemen. The international community continues to watch the conflict closely, fearing broader regional repercussions as tensions between the US, Iran, and their respective allies persist.
