Tens of thousands flock to Houthi rallies across Yemen in protest of US airstrikes

Tens of thousands of people are protesting in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, the Iran-backed rebels’ Al-Masirah TV shows, two days after US airstrikes killed dozens across the country.

Demonstrators wave placards and assault rifles, chanting “Death to America, death to Israel,” at a huge protest in the capital Sanaa, while rallies are also held in Saada, Dhamar, Hodeida and Amran.

The demonstrations were called by Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

In the capital, seized by the Houthis in 2014, giant Yemeni and Palestinian flags punctuated a sea of demonstrators at Al-Sabeen Square, the site of weekly anti-Israel protests throughout the war in Gaza.

“Yemen will never back down — we defy the Americans, we defy the Zionists,” says a man shouting slogans to the crowd.

US President Donald Trump ordered Saturday’s strikes following months of Houthi attacks on the vital Red Sea maritime trade route, despite a pause since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began in January.

In retaliation, the rebels claimed to have attacked a US aircraft carrier group twice within 24 hours, although the US did not immediately comment on the claim.

???? Yemen: The Houthis in Sanaa organized a popular power demonstration today in al-Sabain Square in Sanaa in support of Gaza and opposition to Trump's policy following the recent attack pic.twitter.com/2MMJwIlhEq

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) March 17, 2025

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.