U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen: Death Toll and Escalating Campaign

Suspected U.S. airstrikes over the weekend targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels resulted in at least six deaths, according to the rebel group. A video posted by U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the overall casualty count might be higher than the Houthis have reported.

A strike on Sunday night in Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital, hit a house, killing at least four people and injuring 16 others. The airstrike was reportedly aimed at a Houthi leader, part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate rebel leaders. The U.S. has conducted a series of airstrikes targeting the Houthis in response to their attacks on ships in Middle Eastern waters, related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. These operations have killed at least 73 people, according to the Houthis.

Earlier, the Houthis reported that other U.S. airstrikes killed two people in Saada and wounded nine others. Video footage from the rebel group showed the collapse of a two-story building, which they claimed housed a solar power shop. The Houthis have not confirmed any casualties among their leadership, a claim that was contradicted by a video posted by President Trump. The footage, purportedly showing a drone strike on a gathering of over 70 people, was accompanied by a statement from Trump declaring that the Houthis would no longer be able to target U.S. ships.

The U.S. military has not commented on the specific targets of these strikes, although over 200 have been reported. Meanwhile, the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency described a bombing as targeting a gathering during the Eid al-Fitr celebration in Hodeida. The agency claimed the attack killed and injured "dozens," but did not confirm whether they were civilians or tied to the Houthi military. Yemen's information minister, Moammar al-Eryani, claimed that 70 Houthi fighters and leaders were killed, along with Iranian Revolutionary Guard experts, though no evidence was provided.

The new U.S. campaign, which intensified in March, is aimed at pressuring the Houthis, who have escalated attacks on commercial vessels. This marks a shift in U.S. strategy, moving from targeting launch sites to hitting rebel leaders and civilian infrastructure. The U.S. also ties its actions to broader geopolitical goals, including pressuring Iran over its nuclear program. The airstrikes show no signs of slowing down.