U.S. Airstrikes Hit Houthi Targets in Yemen/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. launched new airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, killing at least one person and injuring others. The strikes signal a broader campaign under President Trump, now targeting rebel infrastructure and leadership. Satellite imagery also reveals a newly operational airstrip on a strategic island near the Red Sea.
U.S. Strikes in Yemen Quick Looks
- U.S. airstrikes target Houthi sites across Yemen overnight
- At least one civilian killed, four others injured
- Confirmed strike hit military HQ in rebel-held Sanaa
- Rebels claim 58 total deaths since March 15 air campaign began
- New Trump-era strikes more expansive than previous Biden actions
- Targets now include intelligence hubs, media infrastructure, and command centers
- B-2 bombers deployed to Diego Garcia base
- French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle stationed in Djibouti
- Mysterious airstrip on Mayun Island now appears operational
- Houthi threats expand to Saudi Arabia and UAE amid U.S. escalation
U.S. Airstrikes Hit Houthi Targets in Yemen
Deep Look
U.S. Escalates Yemen Air Campaign, Killing One in Latest Strike on Houthi Rebels
DUBAI — A fresh round of U.S. airstrikes struck Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen overnight into Saturday, killing at least one person and injuring several more. The attacks mark a deepening U.S. military campaign against the Iran-backed rebel group that has intensified under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Houthis’ media arm, SABA news agency, reported the casualty in the Saada governorate, claiming the victim was a civilian. Four others were reportedly injured in the attack. The full scope of the damage remains unclear as information from rebel-held territories is tightly controlled and often limited.
The airstrikes targeted multiple locations including the capital, Sanaa, and regions in al-Jawf and Saada. One confirmed strike hit the Houthis’ military general command in Sanaa. The U.S. Central Command released black-and-white surveillance footage showing a bomb striking the site, though the Houthis have not acknowledged the attack.
Other strikes on Friday reportedly took down communications infrastructure, including broadcasting stations and messaging towers in Amran and Saada. Rebel officials say these attacks crippled their media operations — a strategic blow in a conflict that increasingly hinges on public perception and messaging.
Broader Trump-Era Military Strategy
An Associated Press analysis found that this latest wave of bombings marks a shift from the Biden administration’s more limited response to Houthi aggression. The Trump administration appears to be expanding the mission to target not only launch sites but also high-ranking personnel, intelligence assets, and urban rebel centers.
This escalation began after the Houthis renewed threats to attack “Israeli-linked” ships over ongoing Israeli blockades of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The rebels have a history of targeting merchant vessels with a loose definition of what constitutes an “Israeli” ship, having already attacked over 100 ships since late 2023.
The attacks have sunk two vessels and killed four sailors. The Houthis have also launched missiles and drones at American warships, though none have struck U.S. naval assets so far.
Regional Fallout and Strategic Maneuvering
The conflict’s expansion has prompted global powers to reposition. The U.S. has now stationed at least four B-2 stealth bombers at its Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, keeping the aircraft within striking distance of Yemen but outside the political complexities of operating from Middle East allies’ bases.
Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has launched strikes from the Red Sea, and the USS Carl Vinson is expected to reinforce the region from Asia. France’s sole aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is now stationed in Djibouti near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Though France is not directly involved in the U.S. campaign, it has previously shot down Houthi drones.
The Houthis have responded with increased threats toward Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, even as both nations attempt to maintain distance from the current U.S.-led offensive. Saudi and Emirati forces had previously battled the Houthis in Yemen but are now pursuing more diplomatic solutions with the group.
Strategic Island Airstrip Now Operational
Satellite imagery analyzed by the AP shows that a long-suspected airstrip on Mayun Island, located in the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, appears fully operational. The newly painted runway markings — “09” and “27” — confirm that the airstrip is ready for active use.
Mayun, also known as Perim Island, sits at a chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. A Saudi-led coalition once acknowledged having military assets on the island, though much of the recent development appears linked to the UAE, which backs the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen.
This development follows similar UAE construction on Abd al-Kuri Island near the Gulf of Aden’s mouth, reinforcing the Emirates’ strategic posture in the region and hinting at long-term interest in controlling key maritime routes.
A Conflict with Global Implications
The Houthis’ actions — and the U.S. response — have increasingly international consequences. Yemen’s war has devastated the country over the past decade, making it one of the Arab world’s poorest nations and the site of one of its worst humanitarian crises.
While the U.S. maintains that its strikes are intended to reduce Houthi capabilities and protect international shipping, the rebel group’s defiance and growing regional reach continue to complicate peace efforts.
“From attacks on tankers to drone threats against U.S. ships and regional allies, the Houthis are trying to control the narrative and the waterways,” one regional analyst told the AP. “The U.S. airstrikes are only one part of what’s becoming a much larger conflict theater.”
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