Yemen’s Houthis announced a response as the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) targeted 36 Houthi objectives in Yemen, on the second day of a major U.S. operation against armed groups linked to Iran following a deadly attack on U.S. troops last weekend.
Houthi military spokesperson Jaha Sarea stated that the U.S. attacks “will not pass without a response and consequences.”
The group has not disclosed casualty figures, but Houthi media described the attacks as the “most violent” to date.
Late on Saturday, the strikes hit underground weapon depots, missile systems, launchers, and other equipment used by the Houthis for Red Sea ship attacks, according to the Pentagon, which reported hitting 13 targets across the country.
These developments mark the latest military actions in a conflict that has spread across the Middle East since October 7th, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas from the Gaza Strip invaded southern Israel, triggering a war involving various armed groups supported by Tehran.
Residents reported that buildings in the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana’a, shook during the attacks.
The Yemeni attacks are part of the U.S. retaliation campaign for the killing of three U.S. soldiers.
On Friday, Washington initiated its initial response, targeting more than 85 sites in Iraq and Syria associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its supported militias, reportedly resulting in nearly 40 casualties.
The military actions have heightened concerns about further escalation of the conflict. Iran currently avoids direct involvement in the conflict but supports groups that have joined from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon.
Mahjoob Zweiri, director of the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University, does not expect Iran’s approach to change even after the latest U.S. strikes.
“They keep the enemy far beyond their borders. They are not interested in any direct military confrontation that could lead to attacks on cities in their homeland. They will maintain the status quo,” he stated.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the recent attacks on Yemen as a clear example of U.S. and UK violations of international law, warning that continued such attacks would pose a “disturbing threat to international peace and security.”
“This was again a violation of Yemen’s territorial integrity and thus a clear violation of internationally recognized laws and regulations,” said ministry spokesman Naser Kanaani.
The Pentagon stated that it does not seek war with Iran and believes Tehran does not desire it either. The U.S. Republicans are pressuring Democratic President Joe Biden to launch a direct attack on Iran.
The Houthis, who control a significant portion of Yemen, claim that their attacks express solidarity with Palestinians while Israel bombards Gaza.
Sarea, the Houthi spokesperson, hinted in a statement posted on social media that the group will continue its attacks.
“These attacks will not deter us from our ethical, religious, and humanitarian stance in support of the resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,” said Sarea.
