Daijiworld Media Network - Sanaa
Sanaa, Mar 26: Yemen’s Houthi forces have claimed responsibility for a new wave of attacks targeting a US aircraft carrier in the Red Sea and military sites in Tel Aviv, intensifying tensions in the region.
According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the group's fighters launched missile and drone strikes over the past few hours, specifically targeting American naval forces, including the USS Harry S. Truman. The spokesperson, speaking on Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, stated that these strikes were a direct response to ongoing US air operations against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
"The confrontation lasted several hours," Sarea said, vowing to retaliate against continued US airstrikes in northern Yemen.
As of now, the US military has not issued an official response, according to Xinhua News Agency.
In addition to targeting US naval forces, Sarea confirmed that Houthi fighters launched fresh attacks on Israel.
"In solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, we struck military targets in Tel Aviv using multiple drones," he stated, adding that such operations would persist until Israel ceases its offensive in Gaza.
The latest escalation follows a reported US airstrike late Tuesday on Saada Province, the Houthis' primary stronghold in northern Yemen. While there were no immediate reports of casualties, the strike is part of an ongoing US military campaign against Houthi forces that began in mid-March.
On March 23, US forces conducted additional airstrikes in northern Yemen, specifically around Saada city, targeting Houthi positions. In response, the Houthis claimed they had launched fresh attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman and Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, though the latter strike was reportedly intercepted by Israeli defense systems.
The conflict continues to escalate, with the Houthis maintaining their stance of striking Israeli-linked ships and cities in response to the Gaza war. Meanwhile, the US remains engaged in counter-operations against the rebel group, which has controlled large portions of northern Yemen since 2014.
As the situation unfolds, further confrontations between the Houthis, the US, and Israel appear likely, with no immediate signs of de-escalation.