The US military has conducted significant strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen, targeting 15 locations. The Pentagon confirmed that the operations involved both aircraft and naval vessels to safeguard navigation in the area.
Explosions were reported in key Yemeni cities, including the capital, Sanaa. The Houthis have increasingly threatened maritime security, with approximately 100 ship attacks in the Red Sea since November, resulting in the sinking of two vessels. The rebel group claims these assaults are in retaliation for Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Central Command, which directs US military efforts in the Middle East, specified that the strikes targeted the Houthis’ weapon systems, bases, and other military assets. Local media aligned with the Houthis reported that Sanaa was among the cities affected by the airstrikes.
On Monday, the Houthis announced the downing of a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone in Yemen, a claim the US military acknowledged, confirming the loss of an unmanned aircraft. Additionally, the Pentagon reported a complex assault by the Houthis on US Navy vessels in the region last week, though all incoming threats were neutralized.
After a significant decrease in conflict over the past two years, the recent strikes signify a resurgence in military activity in Sanaa. Besides their operations in the Red Sea, the Houthis have also launched rockets and drones toward Israel. A drone attack from Yemen in July targeted Tel Aviv, resulting in one fatality and ten injuries, followed by missile strikes on Israel, including an attempt on its major airport.
Israel responded by targeting sites within Yemen. Earlier this year, an international coalition, including the US and UK, initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, focused on ensuring the safety of shipping routes in the Red Sea against Houthi aggression.
The Houthis are part of a broader network of Iranian-backed armed groups in the region, which also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
