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Tens of thousands attend rallies in Yemen after deadly US airstrikes – Middle East crisis live

Tens of thousands at major rallies in Yemen after deadly US airstrikes

Tens of thousands of people protested in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen on Monday, two days after the US launched a wave of deadly airstrikes on the country that killed at least 53 people and injured almost 100 more.

Many demonstrators waved placards and assault rifles, chanting “death to America, death to Israel”, at a huge protest in the capital Sana’a, while rallies were also held in Saada, Dhamar, Hodeida and Amran.

US officials say the airstrikes, which Washington says were punishment for the Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea shipping, were also designed to signal a new assertive approach to Iran.

Houthi supporters protest against US airstrikes in Sana’a, Yemen.
Houthi supporters protest against US airstrikes in Sana’a, Yemen. Photograph: Yahya Arhab/EPA
The US airstrikes on Yemen were one of the most extensive attacks against the Houthis since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October 2023.
The US airstrikes on Yemen were one of the most extensive attacks against the Houthis since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October 2023. Photograph: Yahya Arhab/EPA
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Key events

Closing summary

  • The US and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are both vowing escalation after the US launched a wave of deadly airstrikes on Saturday with the stated aim of deterring the rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. Officials said 53 people had been killed including “five children and two women”, and that 98 people had been injured.

  • The Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and the al Jawf governorate, north of the capital Sana’a, were said to have been targeted by fresh US airstrikes on Monday. In the early hours of Monday morning, the Houthi rebels said they had carried out two missile and drone attacks in 24 hours that included targeting the USS Harry S Truman, an American aircraft carrier, in the Red Sea. These claims have not been confirmed on the record by Washington.

  • US President Donald Trump warned on Monday afternoon that Iran will be held responsible and face “dire” consequences for any further attacks by Yemen’s Houthis.

  • Tens of thousands of people protested in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen on Monday following the deadly US attacks. Many demonstrators waved placards and assault rifles, chanting “death to America, death to Israel”, at a huge protest in the capital Sana’a, while rallies were also held in Saada, Dhamar, Hodeida and Amran.

  • Iran will respond to Trump’s invitation to talks after proper scrutiny, the foreign ministry said on Monday, accusing Washington of not matching actions with words.

  • An Israeli air strike killed three Palestinian men – all from the same family – in Gaza on Monday as they tried to gather firewood, medics said. Later on Monday, medics said an Israeli air strike killed a father and his son inside a school sheltering displaced families in central Gaza’s Bureij refugee camp, near the site of the earlier airstrikes, raising the day’s death toll to at least five. There have been many more reports of Palestinians being killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US, came into effect on 19 January.

  • Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles continue to be positioned around the occupied West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa. Wafa correspondents are reporting that Israeli bulldozers are levelling streets and widening others to allow for the entry of more military vehicles.

  • Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will seek to dismiss the director of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, through a cabinet vote later this week, in a move that will prompt further accusations of authoritarianism. The Israeli prime minister said in a video statement on Sunday that “ongoing distrust” made it impossible for him to continue to work with Ronen Bar, who has led Shin Bet since 2021.

We are closing this blog now. Thanks for following along. You can find all of our latest Middle East coverage here.

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