US intensifies airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

The United States has ramped up its military operations in Yemen, with daily airstrikes targeting multiple sites linked to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, a source within the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed.

The ongoing strikes are aimed at undermining the leadership and operational capabilities of the Houthis, who have been accused of obstructing commercial shipping in critical maritime routes, including the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These regions are vital for global trade, and the US has expressed concern that continued Houthi activities could destabilize the region further, Caliber.Az reports via Arab media.

In the latest phase of operations, US fighter jets launched massive airstrikes on Houthi positions and barracks located in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and Amran province. The airstrikes are part of a broader effort to degrade the Houthis' military infrastructure and ensure the free passage of shipping through key waterways.

The new campaign of air strikes, which the Houthis say has killed at least 57 people, started after the rebels threatened to restart targeting ships in the Red Sea over Israel blocking aid entering the Gaza Strip for almost a month.

Since November 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have launched over 100 attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These raids, which began after Israel's war on Gaza in October of the same year, were reportedly carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

During this period, the Houthis sank two vessels, seized one, and killed at least four seafarers. The offensive disrupted global shipping, forcing companies to reroute their vessels on longer, costlier journeys around the southern tip of Africa.

In addition to their attacks on maritime targets, the Houthis also launched numerous missile and drone strikes on Israel, killing at least one person and damaging several buildings, including a school in Tel Aviv. These actions have heightened tensions in the region and further complicated global trade and security.

The US has been increasingly involved in military actions aimed at countering the Houthis’ influence, who have received backing from Iran in their ongoing conflict with Yemen's internationally recognized government. The intensification of airstrikes signals a continued commitment by Washington to support regional stability and safeguard international shipping routes amidst the ongoing conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva