Assaults hit key port metropolis of Hodeidah in addition to the capital, Sanaa, Houthi-run media and US sources say.
The US army has struck a variety of cities in Yemen, together with the capital, Sanaa, and the important thing port metropolis of Hodeidah.
Forces from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the army command chargeable for US forces within the Center East, “performed strikes on 15 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen right this moment”, it said on X on Friday.
4 strikes focused Sanaa and 7 hit Hodeidah, in keeping with the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV community. Correspondents with the AFP information company additionally reported listening to loud explosions in each cities.
The Hodeidah strikes hit the airport and the Katheib space, which has a Houthi-controlled army base, Al Masirah stated. Footage on social media verified by Al Jazeera’s fact-checking company confirmed giant plumes of smoke ensuing from the strikes in Hodeidah.
A minimum of one strike hit Dhamar province, and air raids happened in Bayda province, southeast of Sanaa, the Houthi media workplace additionally stated.
“These actions have been taken to guard freedom of navigation and make worldwide waters safer and extra safe for US, coalition, and service provider vessels,” CENTCOM stated in its put up on X, including that the strikes happened at round 1400GMT.
The Related Press information company, quoting unnamed US officers, stated the strikes focused weapons methods, bases and different gear belonging to the Houthis.
Al Masirah, which didn’t elaborate on any injury or casualties, stated the UK additionally participated within the assaults.
However the UK Ministry of Defence has categorically denied any involvement within the strikes, in keeping with an official who spoke to the Al Jazeera workplace in London.
Washington has repeatedly struck Houthi targets in Yemen since January in response to assaults by the group on delivery within the Pink Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis say their strikes, which have disrupted maritime visitors in a globally vital waterway, goal vessels linked to Israel and are supposed to sign solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israel’s battle on Gaza.
Now because the battle between Israel and Hezbollah, one other Iran-backed group, escalates with Israeli strikes killing about 2,000 folks in Lebanon, the Houthis are additionally demanding Israel halt its assault there.
‘Yemen is not going to be deterred’
Israel has additionally struck Yemen with Israeli strikes on Hodeidah final month killing a minimum of 5 folks after the group stated it focused Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with a missile.
The most recent strikes got here a day after the Houthis stated they carried out a drone assault on Tel Aviv. The Israeli army stated it intercepted “a suspicious aerial goal” off central Israel in a single day with out giving additional particulars.
The assaults additionally come simply days after the Houthis threatened “escalating army operations” concentrating on Israel after they apparently shot down a US army drone flying over Yemen. And simply final week, the group claimed accountability for an assault concentrating on American warships.
The rebels fired greater than a half-dozen ballistic missiles and antiship cruise missiles and launched two drones at three US ships that have been travelling by the Bab al-Mandeb strait, however all have been intercepted by navy destroyers, in keeping with a number of US officers.
The officers spoke on situation of anonymity to debate particulars not but publicly launched.
On Friday, 1000’s of individuals took to the streets of Sanaa to specific solidarity with the Palestinians and Lebanese folks amid intensified assaults by Israel.
“The aggression on the capital and Yemeni governorates after the … solidarity marches with Lebanon and Gaza is a determined try to terrorise our folks,” Houthi official Hashem Sharaf al-Din informed Al Masirah.
“Yemen is not going to be deterred by these assaults and can proceed its steadfastness in confronting the enemies with all its energy.”
