Yemen’s Houthis Conduct Funeral for 17 Militants Killed in US-UK Air Strikes

Yemen’s Houthi militia held a funeral on Saturday for at least 17 militants who were killed in recent U.S.-British airstrikes aimed at the Iran-backed group, according to the Houthi-run Saba news agency.

In a series of retaliatory actions since November 19, the Houthis have targeted commercial ships with explosive drones and missiles, claiming these attacks are in response to Israeli military operations in Gaza. This has prompted both Britain and the United States to launch airstrikes against the militia in recent weeks.

Saba’s coverage of the funerals stated, “These crimes will not discourage the Yemeni people from continuing their support and backing of their brothers in the Gaza Strip.”

On the same day, the U.S. Central Command reported that its forces conducted self-defense strikes against two unmanned surface vessels (USVs), four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and one land attack cruise missile (LACM) that were poised to launch strikes on ships in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM noted that these threats were identified in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, asserting that they posed an imminent danger to U.S. Navy and merchant vessels in the region. The command emphasized that these actions are essential for ensuring safe navigation in international waters.

In addition to targeting Houthi positions in Yemen, the U.S. and Britain have also reinstated the militia to their lists of terrorist organizations, reflecting the growing instability linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Houthi actions have disrupted international shipping lines, forcing some companies to halt transit through the Red Sea and opt for longer and costlier routes around Africa instead.