SANAA, Yemen: Yemen’s Houthis on Monday claimed to have attacked a United States aircraft carrier group twice within 24 hours in response to deadly American airstrikes, as the death toll from the US bombardment has risen to 53, including five children, according to Houthi authorities.
In a statement on Monday, the group said it launched 18 missiles and a drone at the aircraft carrier USS Harry S.
Truman and its accompanying warships in the Red Sea. Hours later, the Houthis claimed to have fired a second round of attacks at the same target.
There was no immediate confirmation from the United States regarding the claimed attacks.
However, a US official told Reuters that American warplanes intercepted and shot down 11 Houthi drones on Sunday, with none coming close to the Truman.
US strikes kill dozens
Meanwhile, the death toll from US airstrikes over the weekend has climbed to 53, according to Yemen’s health ministry.
Ministry spokesperson Anis Al-Asbahi said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that the fatalities included “five children and two women” and that 98 people had been wounded.
The United States launched a series of large-scale air raids against the Houthis on Saturday, marking its first military operation in Yemen under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The strikes targeted multiple provinces, including Saada, Al-Jawf, and Hudaydah, with US officials saying the attacks aimed to degrade the group’s military capabilities.
Speaking to ABC News, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said the strikes had “taken out multiple Houthi leaders.”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed an “unrelenting” missile campaign until the Houthis ceased attacks on Red Sea shipping.
“This campaign is about freedom of navigation and restoring deterrence,” Hegseth told Fox Business.
Escalation in Red Sea conflict
The Houthis have escalated attacks in the Red Sea in recent weeks, targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel in response to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
The group had halted attacks after a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in January but resumed operations last week, stating they would prevent all Israeli-linked ships from passing through the Red Sea.
Following the renewed hostilities, Washington launched its airstrikes on Yemen.
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In response, Houthi leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi called for mass protests and vowed further retaliation, saying the group would escalate if US attacks continued.
The US military confirmed ongoing operations against the Houthis, with US Central Command posting a video on X stating that American “forces continue operations against Houthi terrorists.”
International reactions
The escalation in the Red Sea has prompted international calls for de-escalation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities” in Yemen.
China also urged dialogue, with foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating that Beijing “opposes any action that escalates the situation in the Red Sea.”
Oil prices have risen amid concerns over disruptions to global trade. Brent crude futures climbed 0.6% to $70.99 per barrel on Monday following the attacks.
The Houthis have insisted they will not halt their attacks unless Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza.
The US, meanwhile, has warned of further military action if the group continues its assault on maritime trade.
President Trump, in a post on social media, warned the Houthis that “hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before” if they persist.
