At least one person has been killed as suspected US airstrikes struck multiple locations across Yemen overnight into Saturday. The American military has confirmed targeting a major military site in Sanaa, the Houthi rebel-controlled capital, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
US bombing campaign intensifies
The full extent of the damage remains unclear, though reports suggest the strikes were among the most intense since the US-led operation against the Houthis began on 15 March. The overnight raids followed a wave of strikes on Friday, which appeared particularly severe compared to previous days.
An Associated Press (AP) review suggests that the current US operation under President Donald Trump is broader in scope than those conducted under President Joe Biden. The shift in strategy indicates a move from solely targeting missile launch sites to striking high-ranking Houthi personnel and bombing urban areas.
Satellite imagery analysis by AP also shows that the US has deployed long-range stealth B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia, a remote base in the Indian Ocean. This positioning allows the US to avoid using bases in the Middle East, sidestepping potential diplomatic complications with regional allies.
New strikes target key Houthi strongholds
The overnight airstrikes targeted multiple Houthi-controlled areas, including Sanaa, al-Jawf, and Saada governorates, according to Houthi-run media. Reports from the SABA news agency claim that one person was killed and four others wounded in Saada. However, given the Houthis’ strict control over information, independent verification of these numbers is difficult.
It remains uncertain whether the individual killed was a civilian or a combatant. Houthi fighters frequently operate without uniforms, making it challenging to distinguish between military personnel and civilians. Some analysts suspect that the rebels may be underreporting casualties, particularly as the airstrikes have focused on military and intelligence installations.
US releases footage of Sanaa airstrike
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed at least one of the strikes, posting a black-and-white video on Saturday that shows an airstrike hitting a military installation. While CENTCOM did not disclose the exact location, an AP analysis of the footage indicates that it corresponds to the bombing of the military’s general command headquarters in Sanaa.
Interestingly, the Houthis have not acknowledged this strike, despite its significance. Instead, the rebel-controlled Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministry claimed that US strikes had destroyed broadcasting stations, communication towers, and the messaging network in Amran and Saada governorates. Reports suggest that the attacks around Jebel Aswad (Black Mountain) in Amran were particularly intense.
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Houthi threats to shipping prompt US response
The latest US airstrikes come after the Houthis threatened to renew attacks on Israeli-linked vessels, citing Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Since November 2023, the rebels have launched over 100 attacks on merchant ships, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors. Their strikes have also targeted US Navy warships, though none have been hit so far.
The Houthis’ aggressive campaign has significantly raised their international profile, even as Yemen continues to suffer from economic collapse and a crackdown on dissent. The rebel movement has targeted aid workers and journalists, further tightening its grip on power within the war-ravaged country.
Escalating tensions and uncertain future
The Houthis now claim that at least 58 people have been killed since the US-led airstrikes began earlier this month. As the conflict intensifies, concerns are growing over the potential for a wider regional confrontation involving Iran, which backs the Houthis, and US allies in the Gulf.
With both sides showing no signs of de-escalation, the coming weeks are likely to witness further airstrikes and military manoeuvres, leaving Yemen’s fragile humanitarian situation even more precarious.
