Houthis report new US-UK airstrikes in Yemen amid Red Sea tension

By Mohammed Sameai

SANAA, Yemen (AA) - US and British warplanes launched news airstrikes Thursday against Houthi sites in the coastal province of Al Hudaydah in Yemen, according to the group.

Houthi-run Al-Masirah television reported that two strikes targeted the Al Hudaydah International Airport.

No reports were available about casualties or damage.

There was no comment from the US or the UK.

Earlier Thursday, the group's leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, said in a recorded message that his forces targeted 119 American, Israeli and British ships since an escalation began in November.

The group said Wednesday that six US-UK airstrikes targeted Al Hudaydah Airport without reporting casualties or damages.

Al Hudaydah is a strategic province in Yemen, with three vital ports and a long coastal strip.

The Houthi group has been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation earlier this year of a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio