Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels reported the first civilian death in US and British air strikes after a recent round of joint raids over the weekend. One person was killed and eight wounded in the strikes, which were in response to dozens of Houthi drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping since November.
The attacks on the district of Maqbana in Taiz governorate left one civilian dead and eight wounded, according to the Houthis’ Saba agency. The rebels, who control Yemen’s most populated areas, have previously reported the death of 17 of their fighters in the Western strikes targeting military facilities.
The Houthi attacks have disrupted traffic through the Red Sea route, leading some companies to take a two-week detour around southern Africa. Egypt has reported that Suez Canal revenues are down by up to 50 percent this year.
Washington, along with an international coalition, launched several rounds of strikes and four joint raids with Britain to protect Red Sea traffic. Initially targeting Israel-linked shipping, the Houthis have also declared US and British interests as “legitimate” targets.
