DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Suspected U.S. airstrikes targeted sites controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen early Friday, including neighborhoods in the capital, Sanaa. The impact of the strikes and the extent of the damage were not immediately clear, as the number of strikes seemed unusually intense compared to previous days in the ongoing campaign. The new American operation under President Donald Trump appears to be broader in scope compared to previous actions, with the U.S. now targeting not only launch sites but also ranking personnel and dropping bombs in populated areas.
The attacks on Friday reportedly resulted in injuries to at least seven people in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, which has been under Houthi control since 2014. Apart from Sanaa, strikes were also reported in areas around the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, the rebel stronghold of Saada, and various governorates in Yemen. The Houthis did not immediately reveal the specific targets of the airstrikes, but it was noted that Sanaa International Airport was among the locations struck, a site used for both civilian and military purposes.
Amidst the ongoing airstrikes, reports emerged showing bombs falling on Sanaa, with plumes of smoke rising into the night sky. The attacks were particularly alarming as they occurred during the final days of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. Areas such as Amran, north of Sanaa, were also hit, where military camps and installations are believed to be situated. The Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news network reported disruptions in communication networks following the strikes, with at least 19 strikes in that area alone reported.
The latest wave of airstrikes, initiated after the Houthis threatened to target “Israeli” ships over aid blockades, has further escalated tensions. The rebel group has exhibited a history of attacking merchant vessels, including American warships, heightening international concern. The attacks come at a time when the rebels are facing economic challenges and increasing internal strife. The conflict in Yemen has persisted for a decade, causing immense suffering in what is already the Arab world’s most impoverished nation.