UPDATE - Houthis accuse US, UK of launching airstrikes on Yemeni cities

CHANGES DECK, ADDS DETAILS

By Mohammed Sameai

SANAA, Yemen (AA) - Yemen's Houthi group claimed Friday that the US and UK carried out 18 airstrikes on several cities, including the national capital of Sanaa, and the provinces of Dhamar, Al-Bayda and Al Hudaydah.

According to the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV channel, four strikes targeted the Al-Sayanah area in the Ath'thaorah district of Sanaa. The channel also reported seven strikes on Al Hudaydah International Airport and the Al-Khatib area in Al Hudaydah, a strategically important province with three major ports and an extensive coastline.

Additionally, an airstrike reportedly hit the southern part of Dhamar, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Sanaa, according to the channel. Al-Masirah did not provide details on casualties or damage, and there has been no immediate response from the US or UK regarding the allegations.

Al-Masirah added later that another three US-UK strikes hit the Jabanah area in Al Hudaydah, but did not give further details.

The Jabanah area hosts one of the Houthi group's air defense bases, according to local media.

Yemeni media activists circulated videos on social media, showing smoke rising from areas in Sanaa and Al Hudaydah, which they claim were impacted by the strikes.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi had accused Israel and the US of launching 39 airstrikes on Yemen earlier in the week.

Since the beginning of 2024, a US-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes in Yemen, asserting that the attacks are in response to Houthi aggression in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have retaliated by targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, in solidarity with Gaza, which has been under Israeli assault since Oct. 7 of last year.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio and Ahmed Asmar