• US-led airstrikes in Yemen have resulted in significant civilian casualties, including a deadly strike on a migrant detention center that killed at least 68 people.
• The US military claims the strikes target Houthi fighters and infrastructure to protect maritime shipping and deter Iranian influence, but critics argue they have not fundamentally weakened the Houthis.
• The ongoing conflict and airstrikes have exacerbated Yemen's humanitarian crisis, with millions facing food insecurity and limited access to essential services.

Since March 15, 2025, the US, sometimes in conjunction with the UK, has been conducting airstrikes in Yemen, primarily targeting areas controlled by Houthi rebels. These operations, including Operation Rough Rider, are ostensibly aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities and preventing attacks on Red Sea shipping. However, the strikes have reportedly caused significant civilian casualties, damaged infrastructure, and deepened the humanitarian crisis in a country already devastated by years of war. The attacks have drawn international concern, with the UN warning of deadly risks to civilians.

• What: US-led airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
• Who: US military, UK military, Houthi rebels, Yemeni civilians, African migrants, UN, USAID, Helen Lackner (Middle East researcher), Yasser Al Jaberi (Yemeni journalist), Tawfik Alhamidi (Yemeni lawyer), Mareb Al-Ward (Yemeni political analyst), Iranian government.
• When: Airstrikes intensified since March 15, 2025, with operations dating back to January 2024 (Operation Poseidon Archer). Houthi attacks in the Red Sea began in November 2023.
• Where: Yemen, specifically Sanaa, Saada, Hodeidah, and the Red Sea.

The US-led airstrikes in Yemen are a complex issue with significant humanitarian and strategic implications. While the US aims to protect maritime shipping and deter Houthi aggression, the strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, drawing criticism from rights groups and analysts. The effectiveness of the strikes in weakening the Houthis is also debated, as the group has demonstrated resilience and adapted to the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, cuts to USAID funding and the designation of the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, pushing millions closer to famine.

People who are living in the country are suffering on a daily basis from basically terror and fright or from being attacked and possibly being bombed and killed [at] any time.

The strike at the detention center was a brutal crime, and the absence of accountability only deepens the pain. These people had no escape, no protection—just silence and fire.

These strikes are to protect freedom of navigation in international waters, not to alter Yemen’s internal dynamics.

The US-led airstrikes in Yemen have intensified the conflict and deepened the humanitarian crisis, raising concerns about civilian casualties and the long-term impact on the country. While the US aims to protect maritime shipping and counter Houthi aggression, the strikes have not fundamentally weakened the group and have exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people. A comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of the conflict, prioritizes humanitarian assistance, and promotes inclusive dialogue is essential for achieving lasting peace and stability in Yemen.