US air strikes on Yemen condemned as Sanaa vows stronger support for Gaza

The political leadership in Sanaa has strongly condemned the latest US air strikes on Yemen, denouncing them as “war crimes” after a series of deadly raids targeted residential areas in the capital and other provinces. The strikes, which reportedly killed at least 31 people and injured over 100, were described by Yemeni officials as an attempt to protect Israel amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza.

The Houthi-led Supreme Political Council in Sanaa declared that the attacks were “blatant American aggression” and vowed retaliation. “Targeting civilians proves US weakness; this will not deter us from supporting Gaza but will instead escalate the situation to something even stronger and more severe,” it said in a statement.

The Ansarallah political bureau said the strikes were a direct response to Yemen’s support for Palestine, reaffirming that such aggression would not go unanswered. “Our armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation,” it warned.

A senior Yemeni official told Al Mayadeen that the US strikes aimed to “protect the Israeli occupation entity,” accusing Washington of prioritising Zionist interests. The source also dismissed US President Donald Trump’s statements on Yemen as “hollow,” asserting that the country would not be intimidated by US military aggression.

The Houthi-run health ministry confirmed widespread casualties, with updated figures indicating at least 50 civilians killed or wounded. Strikes hit multiple locations, including the Attan area in Sanaa and Dahyan in Saada, reportedly targeting civilian infrastructure.

The US justified the air strikes as a response to Yemen’s attacks on Red Sea shipping, with Trump claiming the Houthis had threatened US forces and allies. “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies,” Trump wrote on his Truth social platform, adding that their “piracy, violence, and terrorism” had cost “billions of dollars” and put lives at risk.

Meanwhile, Yemen reaffirmed its blockade on Israeli-linked vessels, declaring that its naval operations would continue until Gaza’s siege is lifted.

The BBC reports that the UK did not participate in the strikes but provided refuelling support for US operations.

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