The Supreme Political Council affiliated with the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) confirmed that the American military strikes on Yemen will not deter them from continuing to support Gaza but will lead to greater escalation in the region. The council clarified in an official statement that targeting civilians in Yemen is evidence of the United States' failure to achieve its objectives, emphasizing that the group will continue its operations until the blockade on Gaza is lifted and humanitarian aid is allowed into the sector.

American military escalation and imminent Houthi response

These developments come in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on Saturday of issuing orders to carry out "decisive military operations" against the Houthis in Yemen. Trump accused the group of executing "terrorist attacks and piracy operations" against American ships and aircraft, stressing that the United States will respond forcefully to any threats to its interests in the Red Sea.

Trump stated that the Houthis have paralyzed shipping in one of the world's most important maritime corridors, negatively impacting international trade. He added that the United States "will not tolerate" its response and will use "overwhelming and lethal force" to achieve its military objectives.

Rising civilian casualties in Yemen

In a related development, local sources in Sanaa reported that the U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including women and children, while more than ten others were injured with varying degrees of wounds.

In Saada province, medical sources confirmed that the American bombings targeted residential areas, resulting in the deaths of four children and a woman, with several civilians seriously injured. The capital, Sanaa, witnessed three powerful explosions in the north of the city, causing panic among the residents.

Houthis: We will respond to escalation with escalation

In the first official response, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthis, stated that "the American intervention in Yemen is unjustified," emphasizing that the group will respond vigorously to this military escalation. Al-Bukhaiti added, "We will meet escalation with escalation, and the response to American strikes will be painful."

For his part, Mohammed Abdul Salam, the official spokesman for the Houthis, described the American strikes as "blatant aggression" against an independent state and accused Washington of seeking to militarize the Red Sea and impose its control over strategic maritime routes.

Continuing military operations in the Red Sea

The statement issued by the Supreme Political Council confirmed that military operations against Israeli ships in the Red Sea will resume starting Tuesday, despite the ongoing American strikes. The statement noted that the Houthis had previously suspended their operations in the Red Sea after reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza on January 19, but the recent American escalation prompted them to reconsider this decision.

Potential regional repercussions

This escalation has raised concerns about the outbreak of a wide regional confrontation, especially since the United States confirmed its readiness to take further military actions if the Houthi attacks continue. Conversely, analysts believe that the continued targeting of ships by the Houthis in the Red Sea may disrupt global trade and increase tensions in the Gulf and the Horn of Africa.

International anticipation and intensified diplomatic efforts

In light of this escalation, several countries expressed their concern over the deteriorating situation in Yemen. Diplomatic sources confirmed that efforts are currently underway through back channels to contain the crisis, amid fears that the continuation of escalation could destabilize the region and complicate political resolution prospects in Yemen.

Washington considers additional military options

In contrast, sources at the Pentagon reported that the U.S. military leadership is considering additional military options to target Houthi positions in Yemen if the group continues its attacks on navigation in the Red Sea.

American officials confirmed that U.S. naval forces are at a heightened state of alert, with increased military presence in the Gulf and the Red Sea, in anticipation of any new escalation from the Houthis.