Houthi leader warns of civilian toll as US intensifies strikes in Yemen

The United States conducted more than 260 airstrikes on Yemen over the past week, targeting civilian infrastructure, said Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, political leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah.

In a televised address, al-Houthi accused the US of widespread attacks against non-military targets, escalating tensions in the region, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

“This week, the American enemy used bombers and other military equipment to carry out more than 260 strikes on civilian targets,” he stated.

Al-Houthi further claimed that the strikes impacted highways, streets, a market, and even a cemetery, underscoring the civilian toll of the ongoing conflict.

The accusation comes amid renewed hostilities in the region following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. In solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the Houthi group had pledged to launch strikes against Israel and obstruct Israeli-linked maritime traffic through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Although Houthi attacks were briefly halted during the Gaza ceasefire, the group resumed operations after the truce ended in early March.

The situation further escalated on March 15, when US President Donald Trump announced a US military operation targeting Houthi forces, aimed at protecting American interests and ensuring the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. According to the US Central Command, the campaign includes air and naval operations designed to deter Houthi aggression in key maritime corridors.

In retaliation, the Houthis launched multiple missile and drone strikes against the USS Harry Truman, a US aircraft carrier operating in the Red Sea, signaling a dangerous escalation in the conflict.

As of now, there has been no official response from the US government to al-Houthi’s latest allegations. The situation remains fluid, with mounting concerns over the broader implications for regional stability and civilian safety in Yemen.

By Vafa Guliyeva