NEW DELHI: Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen have reported the first civilian death in recent US and British airstrikes.
The Huthis‘ official news agency confirmed that one person was killed and eight others were wounded on Sunday, following joint raids by US and British forces across Yemen.
“The American-British aggression on the district of Maqbana in the governorate of Taiz has left one civilian dead and eight wounded,” the Huthis’ Saba agency said, citing a statement from the rebel-run health ministry.
These airstrikes were in response to numerous Huthi drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping since November, which the rebels claim are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
The Huthis, who control the most populated areas of war-torn Yemen, have previously reported the deaths of 17 of their fighters in airstrikes targeting military facilities.
These Huthi attacks have severely impacted traffic along the busy Red Sea route, leading some companies to take a two-week detour around southern Africa.
Egypt has also reported a significant decline in Suez Canal revenues, reaching up to 50 percent this year. In December, the United States, a crucial ally of Israel, formed an international coalition to safeguard Red Sea traffic.
They have carried out multiple rounds of airstrikes and conducted four joint raids with Britain, starting last month. Initially, the Huthis claimed they were targeting Israel-related shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, but later expanded their scope to include US and British interests as “legitimate” targets.
These developments highlight the escalating tensions in the region and the impact it is having on global trade routes.
(With AFP input)
The Huthis‘ official news agency confirmed that one person was killed and eight others were wounded on Sunday, following joint raids by US and British forces across Yemen.
“The American-British aggression on the district of Maqbana in the governorate of Taiz has left one civilian dead and eight wounded,” the Huthis’ Saba agency said, citing a statement from the rebel-run health ministry.
These airstrikes were in response to numerous Huthi drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping since November, which the rebels claim are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
The Huthis, who control the most populated areas of war-torn Yemen, have previously reported the deaths of 17 of their fighters in airstrikes targeting military facilities.
These Huthi attacks have severely impacted traffic along the busy Red Sea route, leading some companies to take a two-week detour around southern Africa.
Egypt has also reported a significant decline in Suez Canal revenues, reaching up to 50 percent this year. In December, the United States, a crucial ally of Israel, formed an international coalition to safeguard Red Sea traffic.
They have carried out multiple rounds of airstrikes and conducted four joint raids with Britain, starting last month. Initially, the Huthis claimed they were targeting Israel-related shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, but later expanded their scope to include US and British interests as “legitimate” targets.
These developments highlight the escalating tensions in the region and the impact it is having on global trade routes.
(With AFP input)