US Strikes in Yemen Claim at Least 53 Lives as Tensions Escalate in the Red Sea

WASHINGTON/ADEN, Yemen – U.S. military airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have killed at least 53 people, according to a Houthi-run health ministry, in what is being described as the largest U.S. operation in the Middle East since January. The strikes, conducted on March 16, come amid a growing U.S. campaign aimed at halting Houthi attacks on global shipping in one of the world’s busiest trade corridors.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed that the campaign will continue until the Houthis cease their assaults on shipping routes in the Red Sea. “The minute the Houthis say we’ll stop shooting at your ships, we’ll stop shooting at your drones,” Hegseth told Fox News, emphasizing that American military assets, including the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, are operating in the region to protect navigational freedom and U.S. interests.

In response, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi warned that his forces would not hesitate to target U.S. ships if the strikes persist. A televised speech from the group’s leadership declared the attacks a “war crime” and signaled an escalation if U.S. aggression continues. Early on Monday, a Houthi military spokesman claimed a second attack against the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, although U.S. officials later clarified that the carrier was not threatened.

The international community is watching closely as global tensions rise. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Washington to cease its military operations and engage in dialogue, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned of a “decisive and destructive” response if threats continue. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed these concerns during an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” pointing to Iran’s role in supporting the Houthis.

The strikes have taken a heavy toll on civilians, with reports of five children and two women among the casualties. In Sanaa, residents described the impact of the explosions as “earthquake-like,” with widespread damage and urgent rescue efforts underway. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities” in Yemen to avoid further destabilization and worsening humanitarian conditions.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have threatened to resume attacks on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea if Israel does not lift its blockade on aid entering Gaza, highlighting the complex and interconnected nature of regional conflicts.

As the U.S. and its allies press on with military measures aimed at curbing Houthi aggression, the situation in Yemen remains volatile, with potential ramifications for global trade and regional stability.

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