Yemen's Houthis claim third attack on US warships in 48 hours

Photo : AFP

Yemen's Houthi group said on Tuesday that they had attacked American warships for the third time in 48 hours. This happened even though the US had bombed the group with airstrikes. The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, said they fired missiles and drones at the USS Harry S. Truman carrier group in the northern Red Sea.

However, a US defense officer said the Houthis were lying and spreading false news. The officer said the rebels often make their attacks sound stronger than they really are.

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US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich said it was hard to confirm the attacks. He said the Houthis' weapons were missing their targets by more than 100 miles (160 kilometers).

On Monday, the US again bombed Yemen. This came after thousands of people protested in the capital, Sanaa, and other cities. Many protesters carried guns, knives, or Korans and shouted, "Death to America, death to Israel!"

Big protests also took place in Saada, where the Houthi movement began. People also marched in Dhamar, Hodeida, and Amran. Houthi TV channels showed videos of the rallies.

During the protest in Sanaa, a man shouted, "Yemen will not give up. We challenge America and Israel!" The crowd replied, "We are the men of the Prophet."

The protests happened after the US began new airstrikes on Yemen last Saturday. The US wants the Houthis to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea. The rebels have been targeting ships since the Gaza war started, saying they are supporting the Palestinians.

The Houthi health ministry said the US strikes on Saturday killed 53 people and injured 98.

On Monday night, Houthi media said the US hit the Hodeida and Al-Salif areas with more strikes. They also said the US bombed Sanaa early Tuesday.

The US said it will keep attacking Yemen until the Houthis stop hitting ships. US President Donald Trump warned that he will hold Iran responsible for any more Houthi attacks. He wrote on social media, "Every shot by the Houthis will be seen as a shot by Iran, and Iran will be blamed."

Iran called Trump's words "aggressive."

In Sanaa, large flags filled the streets as thousands of people gathered at Al-Sabeen Square. The square has seen weekly protests since the Gaza war began.

Just two days earlier, the US heavily bombed Sanaa, including areas used by Houthi leaders. These were the first US strikes since Trump returned to power in January. The strikes happened even though there was a break in Houthi attacks during the Gaza ceasefire.

US Security Advisor Michael Waltz said the Saturday strikes "killed many Houthi leaders." The rebels have not said if this is true.

On Monday, the Pentagon said the US had bombed 30 targets in Yemen in recent days. The US promised to keep using "strong force" to keep ships safe in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Trump warned the Houthis that if they keep attacking, "hell will rain down on you." He also said Iran would "face the consequences" for any Houthi attacks.

In an interview with Fox News, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Houthis "do not exist" without Iran. He blamed Iran for creating and supporting the group, calling them a "Frankenstein monster" that Iran must now deal with.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US has "no right" to control Iran's foreign plans.

Meanwhile, the Houthi attacks have made shipping companies take longer and more costly routes around southern Africa. The Red Sea usually carries around 12% of the world's trade, but the attacks have made ships avoid the area.

The non-profit group ACLED said the Houthis have carried out more than 130 attacks on ships, warships, and other targets since October 19, 2023.

The US had already bombed the Houthis several times when Joe Biden was president. Israel also attacked Yemen in December after the Houthis fired missiles toward Israel.

The Houthis control large parts of Yemen. They took over the capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and forced the Yemeni government out.

Since 2015, the Houthis have been fighting against a Saudi-led group that supports the Yemeni government. This war has caused a serious crisis in Yemen, with millions of people facing hunger and poverty.

Fighting mostly stopped after a UN peace deal in 2022, but the peace talks have not moved forward. The Houthis started attacking ships again during the Gaza war, saying they are helping the Palestinians.