Dubai, Apr 29: US airstrikes targeting Yemen’s capital killed at least eight people overnight, the Houthi rebels said Monday, as the American military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign.The overnight statement from the US military’s Central Command also said its âOperation Roughriderâ targeting the rebels had âkilled hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,â including those associated with its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials.
The US insisted it would continue to carry out its airstrikes, which began March 15 under President Donald Trump as he seeks a deal with Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme.
âIran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,â the statement said. âThe Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime.â
It added: “We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region.”
The US is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis also are the last militant group in Iran’s self-described âAxis of Resistanceâ that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.
Early Monday, the Houthis aired footage of what it described as a US strike targeting the Bani Al Harith District north of Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa. Blood stains could be seen among the rubble and a damaged truck.
The Houths’ al-Masirah satellite news channel reported that eight people were killed in the strike, something not immediately acknowledged by Health Ministry officials.
Strikes also hit Yemen’s Amran and Saada governorates during the night, the Houthis added. Two others were killed on Sunday, the Houthis said.
Assessing the toll of the month-old US airstrike campaign has been difficult because the military hasn’t released specific information about the attacks, including what was targeted and how many people were killed.
The Houthis, meanwhile, strictly control access to attacked areas and don’t publish complete information on the strikes, many of which likely have targeted military and security sites. Funeral notices suggest high-ranking Houthis have been killed in the American attacks.