Yemen’s Houthis claimed their third attack on American warships in 48 hours on Tuesday, as the United States launched fresh airstrikes against the Iran-backed rebels, escalating tensions that have sparked mass protests in Yemen.
The Houthis said they targeted the USS Harry S. Truman carrier group with missiles and drones in the northern Red Sea, marking the latest escalation in a conflict that has disrupted global trade routes.
A US defense official dismissed the claims, saying the Houthis are “well known for false claims minimizing the results of our attacks while exaggerating the successes of theirs.” US Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich added that the rebels’ strikes were “missing their targets by over 100 miles” (160 km).
Washington intensified its military campaign against the Houthis with airstrikes on Monday, hours after mass demonstrations erupted in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other cities. Tens of thousands of protesters chanted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, with many waving assault rifles, daggers, and Qurans.
Houthi-controlled media reported new US airstrikes in the Hodeida and Al-Salif regions on Monday night, followed by strikes in Sanaa early Tuesday. The Houthi-run health ministry said US strikes on Saturday killed 53 people and wounded 98.
President Donald Trump warned that Washington would hold Iran accountable for any further Houthi attacks. “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible,” Trump posted on social media. Iran dismissed the remarks as “belligerent.”
The Pentagon said it had struck 30 targets since Saturday and pledged “overwhelming lethal force” to protect international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. “We will not allow these attacks to continue unchecked,” US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz told ABC News, adding that multiple Houthi leaders were killed in the strikes. The rebels have not commented on Waltz’s claim.
The Houthis, who have attacked ships in the Red Sea since the start of the Gaza war, warned they would “escalate confrontation” if US strikes continue. The group previously targeted Israel with ballistic missiles and drones but halted such attacks when a Gaza ceasefire began on January 19.
The latest Houthi escalation comes after Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza, blaming Hamas for stalling hostage release negotiations. The Houthis condemned Israel’s renewed assault and vowed continued support for the Palestinian cause.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned US airstrikes, saying Washington had “no authority” to dictate Tehran’s foreign policy. Iran also submitted a complaint to the United Nations Security Council, accusing Trump and other US officials of making “reckless and provocative statements.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s air force claimed that a US spy drone retreated after encountering Iranian fighter jets near Iranian airspace, according to state-linked media.
