Yemen’s Huthi rebels have reported that overnight airstrikes on Hodeidah province resulted in the deaths of four people, with the group blaming the United States for the attack. Huthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi updated the earlier toll, saying the strike on the Water Management building in Hodeidah had also left three others wounded.
Huthi media claimed the United States had targeted areas under their control, including water infrastructure in Hodeidah, as well as striking regions in the northwestern province of Hajjah.
The United States has not confirmed responsibility for these strikes. However, President Donald Trump had previously declared that U.S. attacks on the Huthis would continue until they no longer posed a threat to international shipping. On Wednesday morning, Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that the group had targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman for the third time in 24 hours.
This statement coincided with U.S. plans to increase its military presence in the region by deploying a second aircraft carrier, the Carl Vinson, to join the Truman. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that the deployment was intended to promote regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce.
Since Washington launched a campaign against the Huthis on March 15, which aimed to stop them from threatening key maritime routes, areas under Huthi control have seen near-daily attacks blamed on the United States. These attacks have included targeting U.S. military ships and Israeli territory.
The Huthis had previously carried out attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as on Israeli targets, citing solidarity with Palestinians following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
The Huthis had also threatened to resume attacks on vessels due to Israel’s blockade on Gaza, prompting renewed U.S. strikes. These attacks have disrupted critical shipping lanes, which carry about 12% of global shipping traffic, forcing many companies to reroute around the southern tip of Africa.
