Suspected U.S. airstrikes in Yemen overnight into Thursday killed at least three people, while the death toll from an earlier attack has risen to 13, according to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Meanwhile, the Houthis released footage claiming to show the wreckage of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone they allegedly shot down.
The Houthis reported that 13 people, mostly women and children, were killed in strikes Tuesday night in Hodeida’s Al-Hawak district, with another 15 wounded. The area includes the city’s airport, which the rebels have previously used to target shipping in the Red Sea.
Since the start of the U.S. airstrike campaign against the Houthis—linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war—more than 100 people have been killed, based on casualty figures released by the rebels on Wednesday. Footage aired by the Houthis’ Al-Masirah news channel showed chaotic rescue scenes, with people carrying the wounded to ambulances. The target appeared to be a residential area, potentially part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate key rebel leaders.
Early Thursday morning, the Houthis reported that additional airstrikes in the Al-Sabain District of the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, killed at least three people. This area, home to Al-Sabeen Square and a major mosque, has been a frequent gathering site for Houthi protests against the war in Gaza. Other strikes were reported in the capital, as well as on Kamaran Island in the Red Sea.
The U.S. Central Command has not acknowledged the strikes, following a pattern of withholding details about targets hit. The White House has stated that more than 200 strikes have been conducted since the campaign began on March 15.
During a meeting in the Oval Office with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed America’s commitment to the ongoing military operations, stating, “We are not going to relent” in targeting the Houthis.
Oil Shipments Targeted as Another U.S. Drone Allegedly Shot Down
On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department warned against any country or commercial entity providing support to the Houthis, particularly involving oil shipments to rebel-controlled ports. This restriction is expected to further strain the Houthis, who have already faced issues with poor-quality gasoline damaging vehicles.
The Houthis also released footage of what they claimed was the wreckage of an MQ-9 Reaper drone, allegedly shot down in Yemen’s Al-Jawaf governorate. A man was seen prodding the debris with a stick while the crowd chanted the Houthis’ slogan.
While U.S. Central Command acknowledged reports of the drone being downed, it declined to comment further. The Houthis claim to have shot down 22 MQ-9 drones over the years, including 18 since their involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Iran has denied supplying weapons to the Houthis, but Tehran-manufactured arms have been found in battlefield recoveries and intercepted shipments, despite a U.N. arms embargo.
More Intense U.S. Airstrikes Under Trump Administration
A review by the Associated Press suggests that the U.S. military campaign against the Houthis under President Donald Trump has been more aggressive than under former President Joe Biden. The strikes have shifted from targeting launch sites to high-ranking Houthi personnel and urban areas.
The current wave of airstrikes began after the Houthis threatened to resume targeting “Israeli” ships in response to Israel blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. The rebels have loosely defined what qualifies as an Israeli vessel, increasing the risk for commercial ships in the region.
Between November 2023 and January 2024, the Houthis launched attacks on over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. They have also attempted to strike American warships, though without success.
The U.S. campaign appears set to continue, as the Trump administration links airstrikes on the Houthis to broader efforts to pressure Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program.
