Houthi TV: Air strikes underway in Yemen's capital

Houthi TV: Air strikes underway in Yemen's capital

The ongoing conflict in Yemen between the internationally recognized government and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels has escalated with increased air strikes on the rebel-held capital, Sanaa. According to recent reports, the United States-British coalition and Israel have conducted a series of airstrikes on military sites in Sanaa and a port city, resulting in casualties and damage to infrastructure [1][2][3].

The Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that coalition warplanes conducted three airstrikes on the Yemeni capital on Saturday night, targeting military sites in the al-Nahdayn and al-Hafa areas [1]. Residents of Sanaa described the explosions as shaking windows and rocking the entire city, with the targeted sites located on hills containing weapons stores [1]. The Houthis, who control Sanaa and several other northern Yemeni cities, rarely disclose their casualties or losses [1].

Israel has been conducting regular air raids and strikes against Houthi targets since January, aiming to deter the group from disrupting international shipping lanes in the Red Sea [2]. The Houthi group has launched rocket and drone attacks on Israel and disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, allegedly to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict [2].

The escalation of air strikes on Sanaa follows a Houthi missile attack on central Israel on Thursday, which killed nine people and injured dozens [3]. The Israeli military responded with a series of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, further increasing tensions in the region.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has been mired in a civil war since the Houthi group seized control of several northern provinces in late 2014, forcing the internationally recognized Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa [2]. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the civilian population, with millions displaced and in need of humanitarian aid.

References:

[1] Al-Arabiya. (2024, December 22). Airstrikes hit Yemen's capital Sanaa: Al-Masirah TV. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/12/22/airstrikes-hit-yemen-s-capital-sanaa-al-masirah-tv-says

[2] Xinhua. (2024, November 9). U.S.-British coalition conducts airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa. https://english.news.cn/20241110/45a8efea21c84184aef1ca0e515070e4/c.html

[3] ABC News. (2024, March 3). Airstrikes target Yemen's rebel-held capital after Houthi missile hits central Israel. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/airstrikes-target-yemens-rebel-held-capital-after-houthi-116930398