Overnight US Strikes in Yemen Kill 3, Houthis Say; Drone Downed
Dubai: The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claim that suspected US airstrikes in Yemen killed at least three people early Thursday, adding to a rising death toll from American-led operations in the region. The latest strikes reportedly targeted the al-Sabeen district in Sanaa, the Houthi-held capital, and other areas including Kamaran Island in the Red Sea.
The Houthis also confirmed that fatalities from Tuesday night’s air raids in Hodeida’s al-Hawak district reached 13, with 15 others injured. Most victims were women and children, they said, although no detailed breakdown was provided. The al-Hawak area includes an airport previously used by the Houthis to launch attacks on Red Sea maritime routes.
The Houthi-run al-Masirah satellite channel aired video footage showing wounded individuals being transported to ambulances and rescuers combing through rubble under mobile phone lights. The footage suggests a residential neighborhood was hit, potentially as part of what the rebels describe as a US campaign targeting their leadership.
Since mid-March, the US has carried out more than 200 strikes against Houthi targets, aiming to disrupt their attacks on regional shipping, which have intensified since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. The Houthis report that over 100 people have died in these strikes.
Meanwhile, the Houthis released footage of what they claim is the wreckage of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone shot down in Yemen’s al-Jawaf region. Central Command acknowledged the report but offered no further comment. The Houthis assert that they down drones using locally produced missiles, though evidence points to Iranian-made weapons, including the 358 surface-to-air missile, being used in the conflict. Iran denies supplying arms to the rebels, despite UN findings of Tehran-linked weapons in Yemen.
Also read: US Airstrikes Target Yemen’s Houthi Rebels, Killing Two
The US military has not disclosed how many Reaper drones have been lost in Yemen, but the Houthis claim to have downed 22, with 18 occurring since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Each drone is valued at around $30 million and can remain airborne for over 30 hours.
A recent AP investigation suggests the current air campaign under President Donald Trump is more aggressive than operations under former President Joe Biden. The US has moved from hitting launch sites to broader strikes, including those targeting key personnel and urban areas.
This escalation follows renewed threats from the Houthis to target “Israeli” ships in response to aid blockades in Gaza. The group’s broad definition of such vessels raises risks for many commercial ships. From November 2023 to January 2024, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant ships, sank two, and killed four sailors. While some strikes have targeted US naval vessels, none have succeeded.
The State Department reiterated Wednesday that the US will take action against any entities aiding groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations, including the Houthis. This includes transferring oil or supplies at rebel-controlled ports.
(With PTI Inputs)