The United States has launched a series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, residents said on Sunday, with American fighter jets targeting multiple areas and neighbourhoods, including in the governorates of Sanaa, Saada, al-Bayda, and Dhamar. Eyewitnesses reported that US airstrikes hit Houthi military sites in the city of Taiz, southwest Yemen, at 7:30 a.m. local time. The eyewitnesses added that "American fighters targeted the neighbourhoods of Shuaub, Television, the Airport, the vicinity of the former Central Security Camp, and the National Security Building in Sanaa." The strikes also hit "a military site in Jabal Thara in the Mukayras district of al-Bayda Governorate, and areas in the al-Shagaf area of the Saqin district of Saada Governorate." The Houthi-run health ministry said that "the American strikes on Yemen resulted in 31 deaths and 101 injuries." One US official said the strikes, which could last for days or even weeks, represent the largest US military operation in the Middle East since President Trump took office in January. The strikes come as the United States intensifies sanctions pressure on Iran while seeking to bring it to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme. The Wall Street Journal, citing two sources briefed by the Trump administration, reported that the current wave of US strikes on the Houthis in Yemen has three objectives. The sources said that, in the short term, the US airstrikes target Houthi missile launchers moving towards the coast in preparation for new attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea. The strikes also target Houthi leaders. Finally, the strikes send a message to Iran that it could be next, and demonstrate the military capability and force that can be deployed and used. Late on Saturday (US local time), President Trump ordered the military to launch "decisive and powerful military action" against Houthi targets, vowing to use "overwhelming deadly force" until Washington achieves its objectives. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X that the operations are "part of its efforts to protect international navigation and deter escalating threats in the Red Sea." Local sources said that "the violent American strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen continued until 3:30 a.m. local time." A Pentagon spokesperson said that the Houthis have attacked US warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times since 2023. The Houthis say the attacks are in "solidarity with the Palestinians" regarding the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. US officials speaking on condition of anonymity say that Trump has ordered a more aggressive approach. Officials said that fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, which is stationed in the Red Sea, carried out some of the strikes. US Central Command, which oversees forces in the Middle East, described the strikes as the start of a broad operation across Yemen. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted a post from his ministry on the X platform, which read: "Today, President Trump ordered a series of military operations to defend American shipping assets in the Red Sea and deter enemy threats to American interests. Houthi attacks on American ships and aircraft (and our forces!) will not be tolerated." The Houthi political bureau described the attacks as a "war crime" and said in a statement that their forces are "fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation." The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the United States to stop the strikes on the Houthi group in Yemen. The ministry added that Lavrov spoke by telephone with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, and that the Russian minister "stressed the need for an immediate cessation of the use of force and the importance of all parties participating in a political dialogue in order to reach a solution that prevents further bloodshed."
