Daijiworld Media Network - Sanaa
Sanaa, Apr 8: The United States has intensified its military campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen, carrying out 22 powerful airstrikes across northern parts of the country early Tuesday, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and local witnesses.
The latest round of strikes reportedly hit eastern and southern areas of the capital Sanaa, the strategic Kamaran Island in the Red Sea, and the oil-rich Marib province. Eyewitnesses described the attacks as “very powerful and violent,” though no immediate casualties have been confirmed.
Tuesday’s escalation follows Sunday night’s airstrikes that reportedly claimed the lives of four children and injured at least 25 others in Sanaa, raising growing concerns over civilian casualties.
The US-led campaign, which began on March 15, is aimed at halting Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The Houthis have claimed their strikes are in retaliation for Israeli operations in Gaza and say their maritime operations are intended to block what they allege are Israel-linked vessels.
Despite Washington’s ongoing aerial offensive, military experts argue that the Houthis remain undeterred. Xinhua news agency quoted sources saying the group continues to target American and Israeli interests, including a reported drone strike on a military target in Tel Aviv and an attack on two US warships in the Red Sea on Monday.
Since October 2023, Houthi forces claim to have downed 17 US-made MQ-9 Reaper drones a testament, they say, to their resilience and growing military capability.
Ali Bin Hadi, a retired military official in Aden, said, “The US campaign against the Houthis has not achieved its stated objectives. The group continues to threaten international navigation, their leadership remains intact, and the US is incurring heavy costs.”
Political analyst Muqbil Naji warned the airstrikes might be setting the stage for a potential ground operation. “This could pave the way for US-backed efforts to liberate key territories like Hodeidah and the West Coast,” he said, emphasizing regional cooperation.
Supporting this sentiment, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi on Monday called for unity in fighting the Houthis. Declaring that “the decisive hour is approaching,” he vowed to restore state institutions and end the suffering inflicted by the ongoing conflict.
The Houthis, who have controlled large swaths of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, since 2014, insist their actions are part of a broader effort to support Gaza and push for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians.
Experts caution that the ongoing confrontation between the US and the Houthis could evolve into a prolonged conflict in the Red Sea—a region vital to global shipping and regional stability.