United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced serious concerns regarding the recent airstrikes conducted by the United States in Yemen. These strikes occurred on April 17 and April 18, primarily targeting the strategic ports and airport in Hodeidah, a key area for both humanitarian aid and international shipping.

According to reports from the Houthi-affiliated television network Al Masirah, the US military executed a total of 13 airstrikes on Hodeidahs port and airport. This escalation followed a particularly devastating US attack on Ras Isa port, which resulted in the deaths of at least 80 individuals and left more than 150 others injured. The strikes have ignited widespread condemnation and fears of escalating violence in a region already ravaged by conflict.

Al Masirah further reported that three additional individuals lost their lives and four were injured due to a US assault on several districts in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, specifically targeting the areas of al-Thawra, Bani Matar, and al-Safiah. In response to the ongoing military actions, the Houthi leadership has vowed to escalate their operations despite the continuous US airstrikes.

This military campaign is part of a broader strategy announced by the Trump administration a few weeks prior. The US officials stated that the airstrikes aim to pressure the Houthis to cease their threats against vessels navigating the Red Sea a vital trade route for global shipping. Since November 2023, the Houthis have reportedly launched over 100 attacks against ships they allege are connected to Israel, in retaliation for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

During an interview with Al Masirah on Friday, Houthi official Mohammed Nasser al-Atifi asserted that the so-called crimes committed by the American enemy would not dissuade the Yemeni populace from supporting Gaza. On the contrary, he argued, these actions would only serve to bolster their determination and resilience.

The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah or Supporters of God, are an armed group that has maintained significant control over large parts of Yemen since their rise to power in 2014, when they forced President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee. Their influence and control have made them a central player in Yemen's prolonged civil war, which has become a proxy battleground for regional powers.

Secretary-General Guterres's concerns were articulated by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, who highlighted the potential for civilian casualties and the impact on humanitarian efforts. Guterres specifically mentioned the airstrikes near Ras Isa, which are feared to have resulted in scores of civilian injuries, including those of five humanitarian workers. He also expressed alarm over the possible damage to the port infrastructure and the risk of oil leaks contaminating the Red Sea.

The US military has stated that the airstrikes on Ras Isa were designed to disrupt supplies and financial resources for the Houthis, marking one of the deadliest episodes in a 15-month campaign against the group, which is closely aligned with Iran. Ras Isa is not only crucial for military purposes but serves as the endpoint of Yemens main oil pipeline. Alarmingly, around 70 percent of Yemens imports and 80 percent of its humanitarian assistance depend on the ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and as-Salif, making their operational integrity vital for the nations survival.

As the violence escalates, the humanitarian situation in Yemen, already deemed one of the worst crises globally, is becoming increasingly dire, with millions relying on aid for survival.