US launches airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis in retaliatory strike

The United States has launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, escalating tensions in the region following repeated attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea.

The strikes, described by US officials as a “decisive and powerful” response, come after the Iran-backed Houthis targeted international shipping lanes, disrupting global trade and raising security concerns. The group has claimed its attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Local Houthi-run health authorities reported casualties from the strikes, though exact figures remain unconfirmed. In a statement, Houthi leaders vowed retaliation, warning that US and allied forces in the region would face consequences.

The Trump administration has defended the airstrikes as necessary to protect maritime security and deter further aggression. However, the escalation risks drawing the US deeper into the conflict, with fears of a broader regional confrontation involving Iran and its proxy forces.

As tensions mount, international observers have called for diplomatic efforts to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.