Tens of thousands demonstrate in Houthi-controlled regions following deadly U.S. airstrikes that resulted in significant casualties.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Monday, responding to a series of U.S. airstrikes that occurred over the weekend.
The airstrikes, which the U.S. government claims were retaliatory measures against attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, resulted in at least 53 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries, including children and women.
Protests erupted in several cities, including the capital Sana’a, as well as Saada, Dhamar, Hodeida, and Amran.
Protesters carried placards and weapons, chanting slogans against the United States and Israel.
The scale of the protests indicates widespread dissent against perceived foreign intervention in Yemen’s conflict.
U.S. officials confirmed that the airstrikes aimed to deter Houthi aggression in the region.
These military operations were characterized as part of a broader strategy to adopt a firmer stance towards Iran and its proxies in the Middle East.
The airstrikes marked one of the most extensive military actions against the Houthis since the escalation of regional tensions following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023.
In the wake of the airstrikes, Houthi leaders have vowed to retaliate against U.S. military assets in the Red Sea, stating that their forces would continue to escalate attacks until the U.S. halts its air operations in Yemen.
Houthi officials reported that two missile and drone attacks targeted the USS Harry S Truman, an American aircraft carrier stationed in the region, although these claims have not yet been independently verified by U.S. authorities.
Regarding the ongoing situation, U.S. President
Donald Trump issued a warning on Monday, stating that Iran would be held accountable for any further Houthi attacks, emphasizing a commitment to respond with force if provoked.
He characterized the Houthis as agents of Iranian influence in the region, alleging that Iran provides them with resources and military equipment.
The sudden escalation in hostilities comes alongside ongoing tensions in Gaza, where Israeli military operations continue amidst reports of civilian casualties.
The humanitarian impact of both the Yemen airstrikes and the situation in Gaza has prompted concerns from various international bodies regarding the need for urgent assistance and resolution of conflicts in both areas.
As protests continued throughout the day, the situation in Yemen remains fluid, with the potential for further military engagement and political ramifications for regional actors involved in the conflict.