Death toll from overnight US airstrikes on Yemen's capital rises to 3

IANS April 10, 2025 159 views

The ongoing conflict between the US and Houthi rebels in Yemen has escalated with deadly airstrikes killing three civilians in Sanaa's residential areas. These strikes are part of the US military's response to Houthi attacks on shipping routes and Israeli-linked targets in the Red Sea region. The Houthis continue to resist, claiming they have shot down 18 US drones since the Gaza war began in October 2023. The situation remains volatile, with potential for further military confrontations and civilian casualties.

"Our air defences shot down a US MQ-9 drone" - Yahya Sarea, Houthi Spokesperson
Sanaa, April 10: The death toll from fresh US airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa rose to three, with several others wounded, medics and health authorities told Xinhua.

Key Points

1

US military resumes targeted strikes in northern Yemen

2

Houthis claim 18 US drones shot down since Gaza war

3

Civilian casualties reported in residential areas

The airstrikes targeted the Al-Nahdayn area which is surrounded by densely residential neighbourhoods on Wednesday late night.

Shrapnel hit many houses and shattered windows, causing damage and killing three residents. Several wounded civilians have been rushed to hospital.

This was the latest wave of US airstrikes on northern Yemen since the US military resumed airstrikes on the Houthi group on March 15 to deter the group from targeting Israel and US warships in the northern Red Sea.

The airstrikes also targeted several locations across other northern areas late on Wednesday, including the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and the Island of Kamaran, where no casualties have been reported so far.

The US military has yet to comment, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on April 9, Yemen's Houthis said that they had shot down another US MQ-9 drone, the 18th since the start of the war in Gaza, the military group said.

"Our air defences shot down a US MQ-9 drone in the airspace of Al-Jawf province, using a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile," the group's spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, said in a televised statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"This is the 18th US drone shot down by our air defences since October 2023," Sarea said, referring to the timeframe when his group began launching attacks against Israeli targets to show solidarity with Palestinians a few days after the outbreak of war in Gaza on October 7, 2023.

The last MQ-9 was reportedly shot down by the Houthi forces on Thursday over the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

This type of drone has become well-known to Yemenis because it has been hovering overhead across northern Yemeni provinces almost daily since October 2023.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been launching regular rocket and drone attacks against Israel and disrupting "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid their conflict with Israelis.

Reader Comments

S
Sarah K.
This is heartbreaking 💔. Civilians are always the ones who suffer most in these conflicts. When will this cycle of violence end?
M
Mike T.
While I understand the need to protect shipping lanes, we need to be more careful about civilian casualties. There has to be a better way than airstrikes in residential areas.
A
Amina R.
The human cost of this conflict keeps rising on all sides. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones today. No one should have to live in fear like this.
J
James L.
Interesting that the Houthis claim to have shot down 18 drones. That's a significant number - makes me wonder about the effectiveness of these airstrikes overall.
L
Layla M.
The article mentions these drones have been hovering daily since October. Can't imagine how stressful that must be for Yemeni civilians 😟
T
Thomas W.
Respectfully, I think the article could provide more context about why the US resumed airstrikes in March. Understanding both sides helps readers form balanced opinions.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Tags:
Yemen Conflict US Airstrikes Houthi Rebels Red Sea Tensions Military Drone Warfare
You May Like!