Suspected U.S. Airstrikes Target Houthi-Controlled Areas in Yemen
Suspected U.S. airstrikes target Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including Sanaa, signaling an escalation in military operations. Initial reports indicate casualties and damage, with a more extensive campaign under President Trump’s administration compared to previous efforts. The Houthis have threatened shipping amid Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, complicating the conflict further.
On early Friday, suspected U.S. airstrikes targeted Houthi-controlled regions across Yemen, including neighborhoods in the capital, Sanaa. Although the damage and casualty figures are unclear, the intensity of the strikes has escalated significantly since the campaign commenced on March 15. An analysis reveals that the current military operations under President Donald Trump appear broader in scope compared to those under former President Joe Biden, with the U.S. now targeting not only launch sites but also high-ranking officials and urban areas.
Initial reports from Houthi sources indicated that at least seven individuals were injured from the strikes in Sanaa, which the Houthis have governed since 2014. Additional strikes occurred in Hodeida, the stronghold of Saada, and the al-Jawf and Amran governorates. The Houthis have yet to specify other targeted locations except for Sanaa International Airport, which supports both civilian and military flights. Civilians populate the neighborhoods that house military and intelligence assets.
Areas impacted also included the mountainous regions north of Sanaa, where military installations are suspected to exist. According to al-Masirah, the Houthi satellite channel, communication networks disrupted following the 19 strikes in the region. Furthermore, the U.S. Central Command, now authorized to conduct offensive operations in Yemen without prior approval from the White House, has not confirmed any strikes during this ongoing campaign.
This series of airstrikes, which began following Houthi threats to target “Israeli” vessels due to Israeli restrictions on aid to Gaza, has led to significant casualties, with at least 57 reported fatalities immediately after the onset on March 15. The Houthis had previously targeted over 100 merchant ships and attacked American warships, escalating their military profile amidst domestic challenges, including economic issues and a crackdown on dissent amid the ongoing war in Yemen.
The recent suspected U.S. strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen reveal a significant escalation in military operations as compared to previous campaigns. With the authorization of offensive strikes without prior approval, the U.S. has broadened its scope to include urban targets and high-ranking officials. These actions are rooted in a complex geopolitical landscape involving Houthi threats to international shipping and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, further complicating an already fragile situation.
Original Source: apnews.com
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