Yemen Airstrike: US Launches Fresh Attack On Houthis A Day After Anti-War Protesters' Gathering Outside White House

The United States on Friday launched another fresh airstrike on Houthis in Yemen, as per a report by BBC. According to Associated Press, the fresh offensive came following President Joe Biden's warning on Friday that the Houthis could face further strikes. Saturday's airstrike came after the U.S. Navy on Friday warned American-flagged vessels to steer clear of areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for the next 72 hours after the U.S. and Britain launched multiple airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels.

The warning came as Yemen's Houthis vowed fierce retaliation for the U.S.-led strikes, further raising the prospect of a wider conflict in a region already beset by Israel's war in Gaza.

Anti-War Protest in US

This development involving a fresh airstrike came within a day since anti-war protesters of the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) coalition late on Thursday gathered outside the White House to voice their opinion against the US-led airstrikes.

As per media reports, protesters gathered outside the White House and Times Square, New York City fearing further escalation of the already devastating war situation in Gaza.

What does the ANSWER coalition say?

Taking to microblogging site X, the anti-war alliance said that the strikes in Yemen represented a "major escalation" that could spark a wider regional conflict.

"Stop the US-led bombing of Yemen! The Biden admin is threatening to unleash a regional war w/ this retaliation against Yemen’s solidarity w/ Palestine. Anti-war activists are mobilizing at the White House TONIGHT to protest this major escalation," the post reads.

It has been reported that the demonstrators at Times Square raised slogans such as "hands off the Middle East," "hands off Yemen," and "hands off Gaza". 

About the US airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen

In a bid to prevent a string of drone and missile strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis, the US launched the airstrikes against Yemen.

“The United States carries a special, historic obligation to help protect and defend these arteries of global trade and commerce,” a senior US administration official told reporters on Thursday.

“And this action falls directly in line with that tradition. That is clearly reflected in both our national security strategy and the national defense strategy. It is a key conviction of the president and it is a commitment that we are prepared to uphold”, he further added.

Houthis vows revenge against US and UK

The airstrikes were called by the US administration and authorised by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reported Bloomberg.

After the airstrikes, the Houthis have vowed revenge, saying “America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price".

"Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes," Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi said, as per official media reports.

"America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression," he added.