On 30 May, at least 16 people were killed and 30 injured following intense air raids by US and UK warplanes across several Yemeni provinces, which targeted and destroyed civilian infrastructure.
The Yemeni Health Ministry indicated that the death toll might rise as many of those injured are in critical condition. Local reports detailed that 13 air raids were conducted, with six striking the capital, Sanaa, affecting areas near the main airport and several residential neighborhoods. The attacks also damaged telecommunication infrastructure in Hodeidah and Taiz provinces, as well as the Port of Saif.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that its forces, in coordination with UK Armed Forces, conducted strikes against 13 Houthi targets in areas controlled by the Ansarallah resistance group. The British Defense Ministry supported this, stating the operation aimed to diminish Houthi capabilities to attack international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming efforts were made to minimize civilian risk.
However, health officials in Sanaa condemned the airstrikes, accusing the US-British alliance of committing war crimes and violating international humanitarian law. They argued that these strikes underscore the impact of Yemeni military operations against American, British, and Israeli targets.
The escalation follows the Yemeni armed forces' downing of a sixth US MQ-9 Reaper drone and a series of attacks on Israeli-linked vessels and western warships. Yemeni officials have vowed to continue their operations until a ceasefire in Gaza is achieved and the Israeli siege is lifted.
US and UK forces initiated their involvement in Yemen in January, in a move described as an attempt to counter Yemen's military support for Palestine. Despite two western naval missions, the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian and the EU Operation Aspides, failing to halt Yemeni operations, US Special Envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking admitted in April that a military solution is not viable.
The Arab world's poorest nation, Yemen, has endured a nine-year conflict led by Saudi Arabia with NATO support, resulting in nearly 400,000 deaths and millions displaced. A ceasefire has been in place since April 2022, but new US sanctions are now impeding a lasting peace deal.
