US intensifies pressure on Yemen's Houthis with fresh airstrikes

US Expands Military Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis Amid Rising Tensions

• The United States conducted new airstrikes on Yemen on Monday, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, escalating its largest military campaign in the Middle East since President Donald Trump took office in January.
• The strikes, aimed at countering Houthi threats to international shipping, targeted the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Al Jawf governorate.
• At least 53 people were killed, including five children and two women, with 98 others injured, according to Houthi health officials.
• Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched multiple attacks on commercial vessels, disrupting global trade and prompting the US to intercept their missiles and drones.
• A US official indicated that the airstrikes could continue for weeks as Washington increases pressure on Iran, the Houthis’ key ally.
• Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi warned that US ships in the Red Sea would remain targets if American strikes on Yemen persist.
• The group’s political bureau labeled the US attacks a “war crime,” while Russia called for an end to the strikes.
• The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, though no evidence was provided.
• Amid ongoing regional tensions, US warplanes shot down 11 Houthi drones on Sunday, with a missile landing off Yemen’s coast.
• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed that the strikes would continue until the Houthis ceased targeting international shipping.
• The Houthis previously halted attacks when Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire in January but have since resumed threats against Israeli ships in response to Gaza aid restrictions.