Residents of Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, have grown accustomed to the sights and sounds of airstrikes targeting the Iran-aligned group’s positions over the years.
While they have learned to live with the looming threat to their daily lives, the latest US strikes have reignited fears of a prolonged confrontation that could further impact their livelihoods, compounding the effects of economic sanctions.
Sanaa and other Houthi-held areas came under US airstrikes late Saturday, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had ordered a decisive and forceful military operation against the group.
Locals in Sanaa fear that the latest strikes could signal the start of a prolonged conflict, particularly as the Houthis continue to defy the West and escalate military actions in the Red Sea.
Concerns have also been heightened by Washington’s increasingly hardline stance, which appears tougher than that of the Biden administration.
A journalist based in Sanaa said the intensity of the recent strikes revived memories of the early days of the war and the Houthi takeover.
However, he noted that residents have grown accustomed to the frequent air raids, with fear largely confined to those living near Houthi positions and affiliated buildings.
The primary concern for residents, according to the Sanaa-based journalist who requested anonymity, is not just the airstrikes but the potential impact of the escalating confrontation between the Houthis and the West on their livelihoods.
He noted that this time, the situation is compounded by Washington’s decision to designate the Houthi group as a foreign terrorist organization—a move expected to have severe repercussions on living conditions and the flow of humanitarian aid.
The group has pledged to escalate its military operations in response to US airstrikes, vowing to continue attacks in the Red Sea.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said on Monday that the group had targeted the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its accompanying vessels for the second time in 24 hours, following a previous strike late Sunday.
