According to the Houthi Ministry of Health, the death toll from the airstrike on Yemen’s capital Sanaa ordered by Donald Trump has risen to 13, all civilians, and nine wounded. In a statement broadcast on Al-Massirah television, the Iranian-backed rebel group announced a counteroffensive. “The attacks will not go unanswered. Our armed forces are ready to respond to escalation with escalation.”
On Saturday afternoon, the president announced in a post on Truth Social that, “Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom.”
The Houthis reported that there were explosions in Sanaa, in the northern province of Saada, bordering Saudi Arabia, and in the southern province of Dhamar. All three areas host military bases but are also densely populated.
According to AP reports, this is just the first in a series of actions against the Houthis ordered by Trump, and is the U.S. president’s response to the rebel group’s threat to resume attacks against Israeli ships in the Gulf of Aden, which Yemen overlooks. The Houthis had recently declared they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels sailing off of Yemen’s coast in response to Israel’s latest blockade of the Gaza Strip. No Houthi attacks have been reported since the announcement.
Trump also threatened Iran that he would hold the country “fully responsible” should the Houthis decide to strike back. Just two weeks ago, Trump had a letter delivered to Tehran with a request to restart nuclear weapons talks.
