Published: 09:32, October 18, 2024 | Updated: 09:42, October 18, 2024
Houthis vow retaliation as US strikes Yemeni targets
By Xinhua
Smokes raise after US aircraft and ships struck Houthi strongholds, according to the official, in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct 4, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

ADEN, Yemen - Yemen's Houthi group pledged on Thursday to respond to US airstrikes on the capital Sanaa and Saada province, following intensive US raids on the group's military sites. 

In a press statement released through the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the group said, "The American aggression on the capital Sanaa and Saada province will not pass without a response." 

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The statement referred to the US attack as "a blatant violation of Yemeni sovereignty" and "a flagrant violation of all international laws, norms, and covenants." 

"The American aggressive raids will not deter Yemen from continuing its support and assistance to Gaza and Lebanon in the face of the Israeli arrogance supported by America," said the statement. 

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Earlier, the Houthi group reported that US and British aircraft had launched a new offensive at dawn, conducting six raids on Sanaa and nine on the country's northern Saada province. 

The US Central Command, in a statement on the social media platform X, confirmed that it had executed "multiple, precision airstrikes on numerous Iran-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen." 

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Since November last year, the Houthi group has been conducting missile and drone attacks on what it said were "Israeli-linked" ships in regional waters and beyond, as well as targets in Israel, to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid their conflict with Israelis. 

In response, the US-British naval coalition stationed in the region has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group.