On Sunday, the Houthis announced that the first U.S. strikes against their positions in Yemen since former President Donald Trump took office in January resulted in at least 22 casualties. Meanwhile, Washington warned Iran against supporting the group.

The Houthis, who have attacked Israel and shipping vessels in the Red Sea throughout the Gaza war, claimed that children were among the casualties of the heavy airstrikes.

Residents in the rebel-held capital, Sana’a, reported hearing three loud explosions and seeing plumes of smoke rising from a residential neighborhood. Reports also emerged of strikes in Saada province, the Houthis’ stronghold in northern Yemen.

Civilian Casualties Reported

The Houthi-controlled Ministry of Health and Environment stated via their SABA news agency that the strikes in Sana’a killed nine civilians and injured nine others, most in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the Houthis’ official Ansar Allah website reported that a strike in Saada killed at least 10 people and wounded others, condemning what they called an “American-British aggression” and “criminal brutality” by Washington.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which released images of fighter jets taking off from an aircraft carrier and a bomb destroying a complex, confirmed that “precision strikes” were carried out to “defend U.S. interests, deter enemies, and restore freedom of navigation.”

There was no immediate comment from British authorities.

In a statement on social media, Trump vowed to use “overwhelming deadly force until we achieve our goal,” citing Houthi threats to shipping in the Red Sea.

“Escalation Will Be Met with Escalation”

The Houthis vowed that the strikes “will not go unanswered.”

“The Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation,” the group’s political bureau declared in a statement broadcast by Al-Masirah, their affiliated TV channel.

At the same time, Trump warned Iran to “immediately cut off its support” for the Houthis.

The rebels, who have controlled large parts of Yemen for more than a decade, are part of the “Axis of Resistance”, a network of Iran-aligned factions hostile to Israel and the U.S.

During the Gaza war, they launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.

These attacks have crippled global shipping routes, forcing major companies to divert vessels around the southern tip of Africa, a costly alternative.

Hamas Condemns U.S. Strikes

Palestinian group Hamas, which has benefitted from Houthi support, condemned the U.S. strikes on Saturday, calling them a “blatant violation of international law and an assault on Yemen’s sovereignty and stability.”

“Hell Will Rain Down”

The U.S. has launched multiple waves of strikes on Houthi targets, some with British support.

After pausing attacks during a ceasefire in Gaza in January, the Houthis announced on Tuesday that they would resume operations until Israel fully lifts its blockade on Palestinian aid.

However, Trump’s statement did not mention the Israeli conflict, instead focusing on previous Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.

“To all Houthi terrorists, your time is up, and your attacks must stop starting today. If not, hell will rain down on you like never before!” Trump warned.

“Do not threaten the American people, their president… or global shipping lanes. If you do, be warned: America will hold you fully accountable, and we will not be kind!”

Earlier this month, the U.S. re-designated the Houthis as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization,” barring any American dealings with the group.

Escalating Hostilities

According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the Houthis “have attacked U.S. warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times since 2023.”

The Houthis seized control of Sana’a in 2014 and were on the verge of taking most of Yemen before a Saudi-led coalition intervened.

The war has largely stalled since a ceasefire in 2022, but a promised peace process has faltered amid renewed Houthi attacks on Israel and commercial shipping.