Sanaa, April 21, 2025 — A series of US airstrikes targeting the capital of Yemen, Sanaa, have killed at least 12 people and injured 30 others, according to the Houthi rebels. The strikes, which hit the Farwa neighborhood market in the Shuub district, mark the latest escalation in America’s campaign against the Houthi group.
The US military’s Central Command declined to comment on the airstrikes or the resulting civilian casualties. The Houthis, who have been engaged in an ongoing conflict with the US-backed Yemeni government, showed footage of the devastation, including damaged vehicles and buildings, as well as disturbing scenes of injured civilians, including children. In one clip aired by the Houthis’ al-Masirah news channel, a dead child is seen being carried by onlookers, while others are rushed to the hospital.
In addition to the Sanaa airstrike, overnight operations reportedly targeted multiple regions in Yemen, including Amran, Hodeida, Marib, and Saada governorates. This comes on the heels of a deadly US airstrike on the Ras Isa fuel port last week, which killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 others.
The strikes coincide with resumed US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Rome, with Washington citing the Houthis’ actions against shipping in the Red Sea—a critical global trade route—as a key factor in the military campaign. The Houthis have long been a part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” and the group remains one of the few militant organizations with the capability to regularly target Israel.
The airstrikes mark a shift in the US strategy under President Donald Trump, with a more aggressive approach to the Houthis compared to the previous administration under Joe Biden. This renewed military operation follows the Houthis’ threats to target “Israeli” ships in retaliation for Israel blocking aid to Gaza. Since November 2023, the Houthis have attacked over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors, disrupting the flow of goods through the Red Sea, a vital trade corridor.
As the US intensifies its campaign, the toll of these operations remains unclear, as the US military has not disclosed specific details. Meanwhile, the Houthis tightly control access to strike zones, limiting information on the full scope of the attacks.