Tens of thousands of people gathered in massive rallies across Houthi-held areas in Yemen on Monday afternoon, including the capital city of Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, in protest against the latest U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen that have led to dozens of deaths.
U.S. forces launched a large-scale air and sea operation against Houthi forces in Sanaa, Hodeidah and the northern province of Saada since Saturday.
Following the strikes, the demonstrations were called by Houthi leader AbdulMalik al-Houthi.
Demonstrators, with many carrying guns, chanted slogans denouncing the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Senior Houthi officials were seen attending the rally in Sanaa, condemning the U.S. military operation.
"We are simply demanding an end to the blockade on Gaza and the genocide. Yet, the United States has launched attacks on the Yemeni people. They may think Yemenis are easy to bully, but our people know how to fight. Our armed forces will deliver a serious lesson to America," Mohammed Miftah, a senior Houthi official, said at the rally.
Nasr El-Din Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, accused the U.S. of supporting Israel's operations in Gaza.
"The U.S. government openly supports Israel's criminal acts. It is a rogue government that shows no respect for international agreements. The U.S. has violated agreements initiated by itself and signed also by Israel. The reason it can so easily break its commitments is because it fundamentally disregards international treaties and conventions," he said.
Local analysts pointed to the escalating tensions in the Red Sea as a spillover effect of the ongoing Gaza conflict. They said that the root cause of the intensifying military confrontation between U.S. forces and the Houthis lies in the United States' and Israel's refusal to honor the Gaza ceasefire agreement. By imposing blockades, restricting and preventing the entry of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza, shutting border crossings, and cutting off electricity, they are exerting pressure on the region, according to the analysts.
The worsening Yemen crisis has severely threatened the security of the Red Sea — one of the world's busiest maritime routes — with analysts warning that the situation is increasingly spiraling out of control. Many believe that easing tensions in Yemen hinges on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Demonstrators across Yemen rally against U.S. airstrikes
