US strikes hit Houthis in Yemen, as Trump threatens ‘overwhelming lethal force’
The White House said multiple Houthi leaders died during Saturday’s air strikes, and warned Iran to stop backing the rebel group
The death toll of the first US strikes against Yemen’s Houthis since US President Donald Trump took office rose to 53 on Sunday, a spokesman for the Houthi-run health ministry said.
Five children and two women were among the victims while the number of injuries rose to 98, Anees Alsbahi, the spokesman, said on social media.
US F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft shot down a combined 11 drones on Sunday fired by Yemen’s Houthis, a US official said, following Houthi claims of an attempt to attack a US aircraft carrier off Yemen’s coast.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the drones did not come close to the Harry S Truman aircraft carrier, which has played a key role in Trump’s strikes on Yemen.
The US official added the US military also tracked a Houthi missile that failed in-flight and splashed down in the waters off Yemen. The US military took no action because it was not deemed a threat, the official said.
The Houthis, who have targeted Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians.
Trump has warned the Iran-backed group of repercussions if it did not stop attacking ships.