The United States launched a new round of airstrikes on Yemen this Monday, hitting key sites controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi movement. If you’re keeping track, this is now the most significant U.S. military operation in the Middle East since President Trump took office back in January — a sign that things are heating up fast.
According to Al Masirah TV, which is run by the Houthis, the latest attacks targeted the port city of Hodeidah and areas in Al Jawf, not far from Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The U.S. seems to be stepping up its efforts to stop the Houthis from attacking ships in the Red Sea — something they’ve been doing pretty aggressively since November 2023. And honestly, those attacks have already caused major disruptions to global shipping routes, so it’s not just a local issue — it’s impacting trade all over the world.
Sadly, as is often the case, civilians are caught in the crossfire. Anees Alsbahi, a spokesperson for the Houthi-run health ministry, reported that at least 53 people, including women and children, have been killed, and nearly 100 others are injured. And the numbers might still climb as rescuers dig through the wreckage — a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of these conflicts.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials (speaking anonymously to Reuters — because, of course, they’re not authorized to say too much publicly) have hinted that these strikes could go on for weeks. Washington is clearly trying to send a message to Iran, which has been backing the Houthis for years — all while tensions are running high over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Not surprisingly, the Houthis aren’t backing down. Their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, appeared on TV, warning the U.S. that if the attacks keep coming, they’ll respond with even more aggression. In his words:
“If they continue their aggression, we will continue the escalation.”
On top of that, the Houthis claimed (though without evidence) that they hit the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman on Monday. Whether that’s true or just a boast remains to be seen, but it shows they’re willing to talk tough.
Internationally, reactions have been sharp. The Houthis’ political leaders labeled the strikes a “war crime,” and Russia — unsurprisingly — has called on the U.S. to back off.
But what’s really worrying here is how this all ties into the bigger picture. Since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” — which includes not just the Houthis, but also Hezbollah, Hamas, and other Iranian-backed militias — has been under heavy pressure. Some of their top leaders have been taken out, and Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, a longtime ally of Iran, has been overthrown.
Still, despite years of being pounded by Saudi-led airstrikes, the Houthis have proven remarkably resilient. They’re still a major force — and now, they’re taking on the U.S. directly.
So, the big question is: will this U.S. offensive scare them into backing down, or will it just light a bigger fire in a region already teetering on the edge? Only time will tell, but for now, the risk of this turning into a much wider war feels very real.
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