The war in Yemen has taken a catastrophic turn for the worse. Those are the figures covering the recent US airstrikes that killed reportedly at least 123 women and children and injured 247 others. The attacks started on March 15th. They used drone and missile strikes last month to target the Ras Isa fuel port in Hodeidah province, a key revenue source for the Houthi militant group. The Houthi-run Saba news agency announced high numbers of casualties. They reported that at least 50 airstrikes struck the area, exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.
As reported via the Houthi-run health ministry, the airstrikes have caused a high number of civilian civilian deaths. Beyond the reported deaths, at least 171 other people were injured in the artillery strikes and air attacks. Despite these claims, the US Central Command maintains that its military campaign against the Houthis is effectively achieving its objectives.
“The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen,” stated a spokesperson from the US Central Command. The military’s operations, which have cost nearly $1 billion over three weeks, aim to disrupt the Houthis’ financial resources while minimizing harm to civilians.
International security analysts say as many as 80 Houthi military officers have been killed. While junior ranks are being depleted, the senior leadership amongst Houthi ranks has not been as affected. The lack of effect on the Houthis’ ability to conduct operations is concerning. More broadly, it questions the sustainability and effectiveness of the US strategy in the region.
In reaction to the strikes, the Houthi-controlled armed forces released a threatening statement. They declared that the US “aggression” against Yemen would “only lead to further targeting, engagement, and confrontation.” The Houthi rebels reiterated their commitment to continue military operations against both Israeli and US forces in the area.
According to eyewitnesses on the ground, these strikes resulted in horrifying scenes. A civil defense worker recounted, “Multiple air raids targeted the area,” while a hospital survivor recalled, “One strike after another, the whole area was lit on fire.” Another survivor added, “When we managed to leave the area, we saw the place where we were hiding earlier getting struck too.”
The US Central Command responded to inquiries regarding the reported casualty figures, emphasizing that “this strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen.” The increasing humanitarian cost of these military operations has kept the alarm being raised, with greater urgency and vigor, by the world community.
Tensions are rising quickly in this already dangerous region. What remains unknown It is not yet clear how the conflict will evolve after these recent military strikes, or the Houthis threat to strike back. The developing story anthologizes the complicated forces at play in Yemen’s five-year civil war. It equally calls attention to the deeply entrenched obstacles toward realizing a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.
