U.S. intensifies strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen

Investing.com -- In an escalating series of airstrikes, the U.S. has intensified its campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. President Trump announced on Truth Social that the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists are being targeted with relentless strikes, with many of their fighters and leaders no longer in existence. He asserted that the U.S. will continue its attacks until the Houthis are no longer a threat to the freedom of navigation.

Overnight into Monday, suspected U.S. airstrikes hit areas around Yemen’s rebel-held capital, resulting in at least three fatalities, according to the Houthi rebels. The full extent of the damage is yet to be confirmed. These strikes follow a particularly intense night of airstrikes early Friday, marking an escalation since the campaign’s inception on March 15.

The Houthis, who have held Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014, reported that the strikes also injured 12 people. Footage from their Al-Masirah satellite news channel showed homes in Sanaa littered with broken glass from the concussive blast of the bombs. The rebels did not disclose the targets of these attacks, suggesting they could have been military or intelligence sites. One person was reportedly killed in these strikes.

The Houthis also reported another strike on a pickup truck in Hajjah, which resulted in two fatalities and one child injured. This marks the first known instance in this campaign where an American strike targeted a vehicle.

The current campaign of airstrikes began after the Houthis threatened to target "Israeli" ships in response to Israel blocking aid entering the Gaza Strip. The definition of an "Israeli" ship has been loosely interpreted by the rebels, raising concerns about potential targeting of other vessels.

Between November 2023 and January this year, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors. They also launched attacks targeting American warships, though none have been hit so far.

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