Thousands of Yemeni citizens protested in cities across the country to listen to leaders condemn the air strikes carried out by the United States and Britain in response to attacks by Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, reports Reuters.
Dozens of airstrikes were carried out overnight. This action significantly widens the theater of combat in the region that was initially set off by Israel's response to the Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7.
"Your strikes on Yemen are terrorism," said Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council. "The United States is the Devil."
The Houthis began attacking shipping in the Red Sea in response to Israel's offensive in Gaza. They fired drones and missiles toward Israel and targeted ships bearing the Israeli flag.
However, they've since attacked any vessel they feel is vulnerable. The Houthis hold the United States partly responsible for the war in Gaza because they're the country's closest ally.
This recent action has upped the stakes significantly, though. "We did not attack the shores of America, nor did we move in the American islands, nor did we attack them. Your strikes on our country are terrorism," said Al-Houthi."They are terrorists and they are amazing at lying to the people of the world, but the awareness of the Yemeni people is a different awareness. Do you, Yemeni, think that America is defending itself or is it a terrorist?"
US and UK warplanes, ships, and submarines launched 73 airstrikes on 60 targets at 16 different locations using 100 precision munitions on military bases and other targets.
"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation," U.S. President Joe Biden said.
In December the United States and its allies formed a naval task force to the region. US attack helicopters sank three boats and killed several Houthi fighters who were attempting to board a ship. On Tuesday, the United States and Britain shot down 21 missiles and drones that targeted them.
