US and UK Airstrikes on Houthi Weapons Depots in Yemen's Capital

The Pentagon announced that US fighter jets carried out several strikes on advanced weapons depots of Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on Saturday night. Reports indicate that British military aircraft also participated in this operation. These depots included various weapons used to target military and civilian ships in international waters in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This information was provided by the Pentagon to Agence France-Presse. The Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV reported that three airstrikes were conducted by American and British forces in the Sab'een area south of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. Gunfire at a base in Yemen led to the deaths of two Saudi soldiers. Al-Masirah, citing eyewitnesses, stated: 'Witnesses reported hearing the sound of intense aircraft flying accompanied by explosions in various parts of the capital, Sana'a.' The US and UK have attacked Houthi targets in Yemen several times since January in response to the rebels' attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These attacks have disrupted maritime traffic in this vital global route, but the Houthi rebels claim to have targeted Israeli-linked ships 'in solidarity with the Palestinians during the Gaza war.' These attacks have severely disrupted the Red Sea route, through which 12% of global trade occurs. In over 100 Houthi attacks in the past year, four sailors have been killed, two ships sunk, and one ship along with its crew has been held captive since being seized by the Houthis last November. The Saturday attacks occurred three days after Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi criticized US President Donald Trump for supporting Israel. Abdulmalik al-Houthi stated that the normalization agreements between Arab countries and Israel, brokered by Trump, have failed to end the Middle East conflict and that he will 'fail again' in his second term.