The first US strikes against Yemen’s Houthis since Donald Trump took office killed 31 people, the rebels said on Sunday, with the US president threatening that “hell will rain down upon” the group if it did not stop attacking shipping.
The Houthis, who have targeted Israel-bound Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war in solidarity with Palestinians, said children were among those killed by the intense barrage of strikes.
Attacks on Sanaa, as well as on areas in Saada, Al-Bayda and Radaa, killed at least 31 people and wounded 101, “most of whom were children and women,” health ministry spokesperson Anis Al-Asbahi said in a statement.
Trump, in a post on social media, threatened to “use overwhelming lethal force” to put an end to the Houthi’s actions. The Houthis vowed the strikes would “not pass without response”.
The Houthis had paused their attacks when a ceasefire took effect in Gaza in January but announced on Tuesday that they would resume them until Israel lifted its blockade of aid to the devastated Palestinian territory.
