US launches strikes on Houthis as tensions over Gaza humanitarian aid escalate

The United States has launched airstrikes on the military facilities of the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, marking the first such action since January. 

This development follows a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on January 19 in the Gaza Strip.

According to a source within the Yemeni Houthi movement who spoke to the Russian state-run agency TASS, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas led to the Houthis suspending attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Caliber.Az reports.

However, tensions resurfaced when, on March 2, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the closure of all checkpoints. The Israeli government cited Hamas' refusal to accept the plan proposed by US Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff to extend the ceasefire as the reason for these actions.

On March 7, Abdel Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Ansar Allah, warned that the Houthis would resume naval operations against Israel if the blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza was not lifted within four days. With the ultimatum expiring on March 11, the United States responded by striking Houthi military targets in Hodeidah province.

US aircraft attacked weapons depots and radar systems at the al-Khatib naval base near the port of Hodeidah, located along the Red Sea coast. "Weapons depots and radars at the El-Khatib naval base were attacked. There were no reports of casualties," a source told TASS.

The airstrikes come after the Houthis reiterated their threat to resume attacks on Israeli ships, with Ansar Allah's leader making the announcement just before the March 11 deadline for the aid blockade ultimatum.

By Tamilla Hasanova