US Airstrikes on Houthis Escalate Tensions: Rebels Accuse Washington of War Crimes

A Houthi rebel spokesperson has condemned recent US airstrikes as a violation of international law, calling the attacks a "war crime." Houthi-affiliated media reported strikes targeting water infrastructure in Hodeidah, Hajjah, and Saada-key rebel-held regions. The US has yet to confirm or deny these specific operations.

The escalation follows President Donald Trump's vow to "annihilate" the Iran-backed group after repeated Houthi assaults on international shipping and Israeli interests. In a post on X, Trump issued a stark warning: "The choice for the Houthis is clear: stop shooting at US ships, and we will stop shooting at you. Otherwise, we have only just begun, and the real pain is yet to come-for both the Houthis and their sponsors in Iran."

Military Buildup in the Region

The Pentagon has reinforced its presence in the Middle East, deploying additional troops, the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group, and military aircraft.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the carrier's arrival after joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific, signaling a prolonged US commitment to countering Houthi threats.

Houthi Attacks and the Gaza Connection

Since November 2023-one month into the Israel-Gaza war-the Houthis have launched over 100 drone and missile strikes on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, framing the assaults as solidarity with Palestinians. While attacks paused during the January 19 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, they resumed after talks collapsed on March 18. The rebels remain defiant, stating: "These operations will not stop until the aggression against Gaza ends and the Israeli siege is lifted."

As tensions mount, the conflict risks further destabilizing the region, with no clear resolution in sight.