At least six people were killed and 26 injured overnight by suspected US airstrikes near Yemen's rebel-held capital, the Houthis said Monday, claiming to have shot down another American MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The latest strikes come as a US campaign intensifies on the Houthis over their attacks on shipping in the Middle East waters.
The US military's Central Command did not acknowledge the strikes. With the White House's approval, the Central Command can now carry out strikes whenever necessary during the campaign.
According to the Houthi-run health authorities, more than 120 people have been killed since the Trump administration began its onslaught almost a month ago. The death toll could not be independently verified.
Washington launched its new campaign of airstrikes in mid-March after the rebels threatened to begin targeting “Israeli” ships again in what they say is a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza.
The rebels, who are staunchly anti-American and anti-Israeli, have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning almost any vessel could be targeted, including US warships, which they have done without success.
The Houthis have so far attacked more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles, drones and speedboat incursions. The attacks have sunk two ships and killed four sailors since November 2023 until January of this year.
The US accuses Iran of arming the rebels, which the regime in Tehran denies. However, Iran-made weaponry has been found on the battlefield and in sea shipments heading to Yemen, despite a United Nations arms embargo.
According to the White House, over 200 strikes have been conducted on the rebels so far.
