Sana'a: The United States has launched airstrikes against Yemen following the Arab nation's pledge to target any Israeli-linked ships in the Red and Arabian Seas in response to Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip. The strikes were conducted on Saturday night, targeting a residential neighborhood in the north of Sana'a.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the military action, labeling it as 'decisive and powerful'. He further warned Yemen of 'lethal force' should they attack vessels in international waters. Trump emphasized, "We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective," through a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

The situation escalated after Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement, known as Houthis in Western discourse, announced intentions to attack Israeli-linked ships unless the blockade on Gaza is lifted. Israel's blockade, imposed on March 2, aims to pressure Hamas into extending a recently concluded ceasefire deal.

The blockade has exacerbated the already severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following Israel's recent conflict in the area. Nearly two months after the conflict in Gaza erupted, Yemen initiated attacks on Israeli-linked vessels and conducted missile and drone strikes on Israeli positions, pushing for an end to the hostilities in Gaza.

These Yemeni operations persisted until a ceasefire took effect in Gaza on January 19. Despite the ceasefire, Yemen has committed to resuming its pro-Palestine actions, irrespective of the consequences.