Media: US air strikes on Yemen kill 12 and injure dozens

The United States continued its air campaign against Houthi-held areas in Yemen over the night of April 21 to 22, launching strikes on six provinces, including Sanaa, Marib, Hodeidah, Saada, Amran and Al Mahwit, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah news outlet.

Saudi-based Al-Hadath reported that a total of 41 airstrikes were carried out, with one strike hitting the Furwah market in Sanaa, killing 12 civilians and injuring at least 30 others.

The escalation comes amid an intensifying tit-for-tat conflict. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that the group had launched two drone strikes on Israeli targets — one in Ashkelon, allegedly striking a “vital” site with a Yafa drone, and another in Eilat using a Samad-1 drone to target what Saree described as a military installation.

These developments follow a string of recent U.S. air raids. On April 21, American forces conducted 13 airstrikes on Hodeidah’s port and airport. Just three days earlier, the U.S. executed its deadliest attack yet, striking the Ras Isa port in Hodeidah and reportedly killing at least 80 people while injuring over 150 others.

Since launching its offensive against the Houthis in March, the Trump administration has intensified its military efforts, with more than 200 people reported killed in the ongoing campaign. Washington says the strikes aim to compel the Houthis to halt their assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea — a critical artery for global trade.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have carried out over 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, claiming they are targeting vessels with links to Israel in response to its ongoing military operations in Gaza. Their actions have caused significant disruption to global maritime traffic, with many shipping firms rerouting vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea — a detour that has increased both costs and delivery times.

The Red Sea accounts for approximately 12 percent of global shipping traffic, and the Suez Canal is one of the most vital maritime corridors linking Europe and Asia.

By Khagan Isayev