Houthi media report fresh US airstrikes in rebel-controlled Yemen
Iran-backed group says US carried out at least 17 strikes in Saada and Amran; it also claims to have launched missile at Israel overnight, but no sirens sounded
Houthi media in Yemen on Wednesday morning reported at least 17 strikes in Saada and Amran, blaming the United States for the attacks.
The Iran-backed rebels also claimed to have launched an overnight drone attack on central Israel, though no sirens were activated.
The rebels’ Ansarollah website said US warplanes carried out “aggressive air raids… causing material damage to citizens’ property,” but gave no details of casualties in the two governorates, both Houthi strongholds.
Washington on March 15 announced a military offensive against the Iranian-backed group, promising to use overwhelming force until it stopped firing on vessels in the key shipping routes of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
That day saw a wave of US airstrikes that officials said killed senior Houthi leaders, and which the rebels’ health ministry said killed 53 people.
Since then, Houthi-held parts of Yemen have witnessed near-daily attacks that the group has blamed on the United States, with the rebels announcing the targeting of US military ships and Israel.
The Iran-backed group also said on Tuesday that it attacked US warships in the Red Sea that have been used to launch strikes on them.
The Houthis began targeting shipping vessels after the start of the Gaza war, claiming solidarity with Palestinians, but paused their campaign when a ceasefire took effect in Gaza in January.
Earlier this month, they threatened to renew attacks in the vital maritime trade route over Israel’s aid blockade on the Palestinian territory, triggering the US strikes.
Last week, US President Donald Trump threatened to annihilate the Houthis and warned Iran against continuing to aid the group.
The Yemeni rebels’ claim to have launched strikes at Israel followed their renewed regular attacks on the Jewish state, amid the government’s resumption of fighting in Gaza.
The missiles have all been intercepted by Israeli air defenses or fallen short of reaching Israel, but have nevertheless sent much of the country scrambling to shelters.
The Times of Israel Community.