**The US has emphasized its commitment to counter Houthi attacks, while the Houthis vow to retaliate against US interests.**
**Death toll rises to 53 in US air strikes on Yemen, amid escalating tensions**
**Death toll rises to 53 in US air strikes on Yemen, amid escalating tensions**
**Houthi rebels report casualties following decisive US military action targeting their positions.**
The recent US air strikes in Yemen have resulted in a troubling death toll of 53, according to the Houthi health ministry. Among the deceased are five children and two women, evidencing the heavy toll on civilians amid ongoing hostilities. The strikes, described by the US as "decisive and powerful," were initiated in response to Houthi assaults on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, with President Donald Trump affirming that these actions were justified and necessary.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has responded defiantly, signaling that the group will target US maritime assets in retaliation as long as the airstrikes persist. The strikes reportedly targeted prominent Houthi figures, although the group has not confirmed such specific casualties. A local resident, Ahmed, described the unprecedented nature of the bombardment, showcasing the widespread fear and anxiety among the people in Sanaa.
US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz asserted that the operations successfully eliminated multiple Houthi leaders, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged an "unrelenting" campaign of missile strikes to curb further Houthi aggression. Hegseth underscored the aim of restoring freedom of navigation and enforcing deterrence.
The Houthis, who have previously framed their actions as solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, claim that they are primarily targeting vessels associated with Israel, the US, or the UK. Since November 2023, they have engaged in numerous attacks on merchant ships, asserting their commitment to disrupting maritime operations in the region.
Trump, in a strong statement on social media, emphasized the US's zero-tolerance policy towards Houthi aggression, pledging to respond with overwhelming force while labeling the group as a terrorist organization funded by Iran. In a counter-statement, Iran's Foreign Minister condemned the US's military actions, demanding an end to its support for what he termed genocide against the Yemeni people.
In a developing situation, Houthi military representatives claimed to have targeted the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman with ballistic missiles and drones, although US officials reported successfully intercepting 11 Houthi drones without any threats to US vessels. Amidst these tensions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for immediate restraint and a halt to military operations in Yemen, highlighting the urgent need for peace in a nation that has endured years of conflict.
