Houthis in Yemen Assert Responsibility for Attacks on Carrier Group Following US Airstrikes
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen declared on Monday that they had attacked an American aircraft carrier group twice within a span of 24 hours, describing the actions as retaliation for fatal US airstrikes.
Initially, the Houthis claimed to have launched 18 missiles and a drone at the “USS Harry Truman and its escorting warships” in the Red Sea, later asserting they had conducted a second round of strikes.
The United States had not issued an immediate response regarding the Houthi claims of these attacks.
A Houthi spokesperson stated via Telegram that the strikes on the carrier group were “a response to ongoing American aggression against our nation.”
The Houthi health ministry reported that among the 53 casualties and 98 injured during the US strikes on Saturday were women and children.
This recent military action represented the largest US operation in the Middle East since Trump resumed his presidential duties.
According to Houthi media, further explosions occurred last night, with accusations directed at the US for targeting a cotton ginning factory in Hodeida and an Israeli ship named Galaxy Leader, which had been captured over a year ago.
Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi called on Yemenis to take to the streets today in protest.
In light of the escalating situation along the maritime trading routes, the United Nations has urged both parties to “cease all military operations.”
The Iran-supported Houthis, who govern a significant portion of the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest nation, have struck at Israel and maritime traffic in the Red Sea throughout the Gaza conflict, asserting their actions are in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Prior to the weekend’s assaults on the US carrier group, the Houthis had not declared strikes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since January 19, when a ceasefire was established in Gaza.
The group indicated they resumed their attacks in response to Israel suspending humanitarian aid to Gaza and warned they would “employ additional escalatory measures” if “American aggression against our country persists.”
‘Terrified’
The US’s strikes against the Houthis this past weekend were the first since Trump reassumed the presidency in January.
US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz informed ABC News that Saturday’s airstrikes “targeted multiple Houthi leaders and eliminated them.”
Trump, meanwhile, cautioned the Houthis that “hell will rain down upon you.”
In a social media statement directed at Iran, the US president demanded that the Islamic Republic cease its support for “Houthi terrorists.”
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a “large-scale operation” against the Houthis, stating that the operation was ongoing.
Witnesses in Sana’a reported a “horrific explosion” that rattled homes and shattered windows.
US warplanes were photographed taking off to conduct airstrikes on Yemen (Credit: CENTCOM)
Footage from Houthi media depicted the aftermath, showing children, including a dazed girl with blackened legs wrapped in bandages, and a woman receiving medical treatment.
The Houthis have cordoned off regions surrounding the blast sites, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the destruction.
A father of two, who identified himself as Ahmed, told AFP: “I’ve lived in Sanaa for 10 years, hearing shelling throughout the war. By God, I’ve never encountered anything like this before.”
“My family and I were terrified,” he added.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the deadly US strikes and asserted that Washington had “no authority” to dictate Tehran’s foreign policies.
The Houthis’ political bureau declared that their “forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation.”
‘Fully prepared’
A database established by ACLED, a non-profit monitoring organization, indicates that there have been 136 Houthi attacks on warships and commercial vessels, as well as Israeli and other targets since October 19, 2023.
Although the Red Sea trade route typically accommodates about 12% of the world’s shipping traffic, Houthi assaults have compelled numerous companies to divert around the southern coast of Africa, incurring significant extra costs.
The Palestinian group Hamas, which has lauded Houthi support, denounced the US strikes as “a blatant violation of international law and an attack on our country’s sovereignty and stability.”
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The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, stated: “Iran will not initiate war, but if anyone poses a threat, it will provide appropriate, decisive, and conclusive responses.”
The United States had already conducted multiple rounds of strikes against Houthi targets.
Israel has also conducted airstrikes in Yemen, the latest occurring in December following Houthi missile fire directed at Israeli territory.
Combat in Yemen’s ongoing war has largely been dormant since a ceasefire was declared in 2022, yet the anticipated peace process has faltered in light of the Houthi attacks on shipping.
The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, either directly or indirectly, through disease, contributing to Yemen’s status as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
