One Fatality and Multiple Injuries in Recent US Airstrikes on Yemen's Capital
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Synopsis
On April 17, fresh US airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa resulted in one death and several injuries. The strikes targeted residential areas and military sites, escalating tensions as the Houthis threatened retaliation against Israeli ships amid ongoing conflicts in the region.
Key Takeaways
- One fatality and multiple injuries reported.
- Recent US airstrikes targeted Sanaa and surrounding areas.
- Houthi authorities claim to have shot down a US drone.
- The Houthis threaten to target Israeli ships.
- The conflict continues amid regional tensions.
Sanaa, April 17 (NationPress) A minimum of one individual lost their life and numerous others sustained injuries during a series of recent US airstrikes that focused on a residential area and various other sites in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, as reported by Houthi-controlled health officials.
The strikes hit a home located in the Al-Nahda neighborhood in central Sanaa, with local residents informing Xinhua on Wednesday that ambulances were observed rushing to the scene, as per Xinhua news agency.
Additionally, Houthi-operated al-Masirah TV reported that approximately 20 US airstrikes targeted multiple locations in and around Sanaa, including the Houthi-held Al-Hafa military site on Mount Nuqum, as well as the districts of Bani Hashish, Nihm, and Manakha.
Residents reported hearing the roar of fighter jets along with a series of explosions echoing throughout the city.
On March 15, the US military reinitiated air assaults against the Houthi militia to dissuade them from attacking Israeli targets and US naval vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, who govern a significant portion of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, indicated they would cease their attacks if Israel halts its military operations in the Gaza Strip and permits the entry of vital food and medical supplies into the Palestinian territory.
Separately, the Houthis claimed on Sunday night that they successfully intercepted an MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen's Hajjah governorate, situated in the northwest of the country along the Red Sea border with Saudi Arabia.
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthi military, characterized the interception in a pre-recorded video announcement as the fourth incident of this kind within two weeks.
Saree stated that the rebels engaged the drone with “a locally manufactured missile”.
The Houthis possess surface-to-air missiles—including the Iranian model known as the 358—capable of bringing down aircraft.
Although Iran denies supplying the rebels with arms, weapons made in Tehran have been discovered on battlefields and in maritime shipments destined for Yemen, despite a United Nations arms embargo.
This new round of airstrikes commenced following threats from the rebels to resume attacks on “Israeli” ships due to Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip.
The Houthis have vaguely defined what an Israeli ship is, implying that many vessels could potentially be targeted.
From November 2023 to January of this year, the Houthis reportedly targeted over 100 merchant vessels using missiles and drones, resulting in the sinking of two ships and the deaths of four sailors. They also attempted to attack US warships, though without success.
The US military campaign appears unyielding, as the Trump administration has also associated its airstrikes on the Houthis with efforts to pressure Iran regarding its rapidly advancing nuclear program.
