Escalating U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen: Houthi Casualties and Strategic Shifts
Suspected U.S. airstrikes in Yemen’s Houthi stronghold have killed two and wounded nine. This escalates an ongoing campaign under Trump, with claims of over 69 casualties reported by Houthis. A video from Trump suggests higher targets among Houthi leadership. The campaign aligns with U.S. pressure on Iran amidst regional tensions around shipping and military activities.
Suspected U.S. airstrikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of two individuals in a stronghold of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, according to the group’s statements on Sunday. The strikes, which took place in Saada, also left nine others wounded. Al-Masirah satellite news channel, affiliated with the Houthis, showcased footage of a two-story building collapsing, which they claimed was a solar power shop, but did not release any images from within the structure.
The intense airstrike campaign in Yemen, initiated under President Trump, targets Houthis in response to their recent attacks on shipping in Middle Eastern waters, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthis have stated that at least 69 people have been killed during this campaign. Nevertheless, they have not confirmed any casualties among their military or security leadership, a claim that appears to be contradicted by a video shared online by President Trump.
President Trump disseminated a drone video that depicts an explosion occurring among a group of more than 70 individuals gathered together. He asserted in his post that “these Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack” and declared that there would be no such attack, ensuring they “will never sink our ships again.” However, the U.S. military’s Central Command has not validated this footage or provided detailed accounts of the strikes since March 15, while over 200 airstrikes targeting the Houthis have reportedly been conducted according to White House statements.
An anonymous source quoted by the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency described the bombing as precision-targeting a social gathering coinciding with Eid celebrations in Hodeida governorate. The report claimed that no participants at the gathering were connected to Houthi military operations, pushing back against the narrative surrounding the airstrikes, which allegedly resulted in numerous casualties, although previous reports did not document such significant losses in that region.
Moammar al-Eryani, Yemen’s information minister, alleged that the recent strike resulted in approximately 70 Houthi combatants and leaders being killed, alongside purported Iranian Revolutionary Guard experts; however, no substantial evidence was provided to verify this assertion. Resistance from the Iranian government and the Revolutionary Guard was also not forthcoming.
Insight from Mohammed al-Basha, an expert on Yemen, highlighted social media announcements about the death of a Houthi police colonel and his two brothers due to the aforementioned strike referenced by Trump. Al-Basha indicated that the U.S. airstrike strategy is expanding, now targeting broader geographical areas and previously undisturbed sites related to Houthi leadership and military operations.
The recent American military operation, which commenced nearly one month ago, has shown a significant shift from previous counter-Houthi measures under the Biden administration, focusing not only on the launch sites but on high-ranking individuals. This escalation in military action coincides with Houthi threats to resume targeting vessels classified as “Israeli” amidst ongoing tensions related to the blockade affecting Gaza aid. The Houthis have conducted over 100 missile and drone attacks against merchant vessels since November 2023, alongside unsuccessful attempts to strike American warships, thus heightening their global profile amidst Yemen’s prolonged conflict.
In conclusion, the ongoing U.S. airstrikes in Yemen have led to reported casualties among Houthi forces, with implications for the scale and strategy of military actions under the Trump administration. The conflict is further compounded by the Houthis’ threats to target commercial vessels, alongside shifting U.S. tactics that have moved towards comprehensive targeting of Houthi leadership. The evolving situation indicates increasing aggression and a complex intersection of regional tensions linked to broader geopolitical dynamics involving Iran and the ongoing Israel-Hamas situation.
Original Source: www.thespec.com
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