Fresh US strikes extend air campaign targeting Yemen’s Houthis

The United States military launched a series of air attacks on Yemen overnight, targeting Houthi rebels.

Strikes hit an area near the capital, Sanaa, as well as the northern province of Saada early on Tuesday as the US extended a bombing campaign against targets in Yemen that began in mid-March and has killed dozens of people.

The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported that US forces launched 15 raids on the northern province of Saada, including the city of Saada and the districts of Majz and Sahar. Mount Nabi Shuaib, in the Bani Matar district of Sanaa province, was also reported to have been targeted.

There was no immediate report of casualties. The Houthis have said the recent wave of US bombardments has killed at least 61 people in Yemen since they started on March 15.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) published two videos on social media, showing fighter jets taking off and missiles being launched from an aircraft carrier.

The Houthis claimed to have downed a US MQ-9 drone over the central province of Marib, home to oil and gas fields, overnight.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the rebels targeted the drone with “a suitable locally manufactured missile”.