US President Donald Trump has once again warned the Houthi rebels in Yemen that they will face severe retaliation if they do not cease their attacks. Trump's comments, made on Wednesday, came a few days after he issued a similar warning on Saturday, telling the Houthis that if they continued their aggression, “hell will rain down upon them like nothing they have ever seen before.” Trump also renewed his call for Iran to stop supporting the Houthis, stating that the US will ensure the Yemeni group is defeated.

These warnings follow a series of missile and drone attacks by the Houthis, including strikes aimed at American warships in the Red Sea. On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the fourth attack on US vessels in just 72 hours. 

In addition, the group launched missiles targeting Israel, further escalating tensions in the region. The Houthis have stated that their maritime attacks are aimed at vessels linked to Israel, pressuring the country to end its offensive in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave.

In response to the ongoing conflict, the United States has continued its airstrike in Yemen. On Thursday, US airstrikes targeted Houthi positions in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, injuring at least nine people, including seven women and two children. 

The strikes hit a building under construction in the Geraf neighbourhood, causing damage to nearby residential buildings where civilians had taken shelter. This was the second round of US airstrikes in the area since Saturday, which had already left 53 people dead and 98 others injured, according to Houthi-controlled health authorities.

The US military has been carrying out these strikes in response to Houthi missile attacks, particularly to protect vital international shipping lanes. The strikes also spread to other Houthi-controlled regions, including Saada, al-Bayda, Hodeidah, and al-Jawf. With the Houthis vowing to escalate their attacks, the conflict continues to intensify, and the US remains committed to securing the region’s maritime routes.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)